EP1656349B1 - Cyclopropyl derivatives as nk3 receptor antagonists - Google Patents

Cyclopropyl derivatives as nk3 receptor antagonists Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1656349B1
EP1656349B1 EP04739035A EP04739035A EP1656349B1 EP 1656349 B1 EP1656349 B1 EP 1656349B1 EP 04739035 A EP04739035 A EP 04739035A EP 04739035 A EP04739035 A EP 04739035A EP 1656349 B1 EP1656349 B1 EP 1656349B1
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Prior art keywords
phenyl
methyl
amide
ylmethyl
piperidin
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EP04739035A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP1656349A1 (en
Inventor
Jan Kehler
Tore Hansen
Anders Poulsen
Berith Bjoernholm
Thomas Ruhland
Morten Bang Noergaard
Soeren Moeller Nielsen
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H Lundbeck AS
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H Lundbeck AS
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    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
    • C07D—HETEROCYCLIC COMPOUNDS
    • C07D211/00—Heterocyclic compounds containing hydrogenated pyridine rings, not condensed with other rings
    • C07D211/04—Heterocyclic compounds containing hydrogenated pyridine rings, not condensed with other rings with only hydrogen or carbon atoms directly attached to the ring nitrogen atom
    • C07D211/06—Heterocyclic compounds containing hydrogenated pyridine rings, not condensed with other rings with only hydrogen or carbon atoms directly attached to the ring nitrogen atom having no double bonds between ring members or between ring members and non-ring members
    • C07D211/08—Heterocyclic compounds containing hydrogenated pyridine rings, not condensed with other rings with only hydrogen or carbon atoms directly attached to the ring nitrogen atom having no double bonds between ring members or between ring members and non-ring members with hydrocarbon or substituted hydrocarbon radicals directly attached to ring carbon atoms
    • C07D211/18—Heterocyclic compounds containing hydrogenated pyridine rings, not condensed with other rings with only hydrogen or carbon atoms directly attached to the ring nitrogen atom having no double bonds between ring members or between ring members and non-ring members with hydrocarbon or substituted hydrocarbon radicals directly attached to ring carbon atoms with substituted hydrocarbon radicals attached to ring carbon atoms
    • C07D211/34—Heterocyclic compounds containing hydrogenated pyridine rings, not condensed with other rings with only hydrogen or carbon atoms directly attached to the ring nitrogen atom having no double bonds between ring members or between ring members and non-ring members with hydrocarbon or substituted hydrocarbon radicals directly attached to ring carbon atoms with substituted hydrocarbon radicals attached to ring carbon atoms with hydrocarbon radicals, substituted by carbon atoms having three bonds to hetero atoms with at the most one bond to halogen, e.g. ester or nitrile radicals
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
    • A61P25/00—Drugs for disorders of the nervous system
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
    • C07D—HETEROCYCLIC COMPOUNDS
    • C07D211/00—Heterocyclic compounds containing hydrogenated pyridine rings, not condensed with other rings
    • C07D211/04—Heterocyclic compounds containing hydrogenated pyridine rings, not condensed with other rings with only hydrogen or carbon atoms directly attached to the ring nitrogen atom
    • C07D211/06—Heterocyclic compounds containing hydrogenated pyridine rings, not condensed with other rings with only hydrogen or carbon atoms directly attached to the ring nitrogen atom having no double bonds between ring members or between ring members and non-ring members
    • C07D211/08—Heterocyclic compounds containing hydrogenated pyridine rings, not condensed with other rings with only hydrogen or carbon atoms directly attached to the ring nitrogen atom having no double bonds between ring members or between ring members and non-ring members with hydrocarbon or substituted hydrocarbon radicals directly attached to ring carbon atoms
    • C07D211/10—Heterocyclic compounds containing hydrogenated pyridine rings, not condensed with other rings with only hydrogen or carbon atoms directly attached to the ring nitrogen atom having no double bonds between ring members or between ring members and non-ring members with hydrocarbon or substituted hydrocarbon radicals directly attached to ring carbon atoms with radicals containing only carbon and hydrogen atoms attached to ring carbon atoms
    • C07D211/14—Heterocyclic compounds containing hydrogenated pyridine rings, not condensed with other rings with only hydrogen or carbon atoms directly attached to the ring nitrogen atom having no double bonds between ring members or between ring members and non-ring members with hydrocarbon or substituted hydrocarbon radicals directly attached to ring carbon atoms with radicals containing only carbon and hydrogen atoms attached to ring carbon atoms with hydrocarbon or substituted hydrocarbon radicals attached to the ring nitrogen atom
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
    • C07D—HETEROCYCLIC COMPOUNDS
    • C07D211/00—Heterocyclic compounds containing hydrogenated pyridine rings, not condensed with other rings
    • C07D211/04—Heterocyclic compounds containing hydrogenated pyridine rings, not condensed with other rings with only hydrogen or carbon atoms directly attached to the ring nitrogen atom
    • C07D211/06—Heterocyclic compounds containing hydrogenated pyridine rings, not condensed with other rings with only hydrogen or carbon atoms directly attached to the ring nitrogen atom having no double bonds between ring members or between ring members and non-ring members
    • C07D211/08—Heterocyclic compounds containing hydrogenated pyridine rings, not condensed with other rings with only hydrogen or carbon atoms directly attached to the ring nitrogen atom having no double bonds between ring members or between ring members and non-ring members with hydrocarbon or substituted hydrocarbon radicals directly attached to ring carbon atoms
    • C07D211/18—Heterocyclic compounds containing hydrogenated pyridine rings, not condensed with other rings with only hydrogen or carbon atoms directly attached to the ring nitrogen atom having no double bonds between ring members or between ring members and non-ring members with hydrocarbon or substituted hydrocarbon radicals directly attached to ring carbon atoms with substituted hydrocarbon radicals attached to ring carbon atoms
    • C07D211/30—Heterocyclic compounds containing hydrogenated pyridine rings, not condensed with other rings with only hydrogen or carbon atoms directly attached to the ring nitrogen atom having no double bonds between ring members or between ring members and non-ring members with hydrocarbon or substituted hydrocarbon radicals directly attached to ring carbon atoms with substituted hydrocarbon radicals attached to ring carbon atoms with hydrocarbon radicals, substituted by doubly bound oxygen or sulfur atoms or by two oxygen or sulfur atoms singly bound to the same carbon atom
    • C07D211/32—Heterocyclic compounds containing hydrogenated pyridine rings, not condensed with other rings with only hydrogen or carbon atoms directly attached to the ring nitrogen atom having no double bonds between ring members or between ring members and non-ring members with hydrocarbon or substituted hydrocarbon radicals directly attached to ring carbon atoms with substituted hydrocarbon radicals attached to ring carbon atoms with hydrocarbon radicals, substituted by doubly bound oxygen or sulfur atoms or by two oxygen or sulfur atoms singly bound to the same carbon atom by oxygen atoms
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
    • C07D—HETEROCYCLIC COMPOUNDS
    • C07D211/00—Heterocyclic compounds containing hydrogenated pyridine rings, not condensed with other rings
    • C07D211/04—Heterocyclic compounds containing hydrogenated pyridine rings, not condensed with other rings with only hydrogen or carbon atoms directly attached to the ring nitrogen atom
    • C07D211/06—Heterocyclic compounds containing hydrogenated pyridine rings, not condensed with other rings with only hydrogen or carbon atoms directly attached to the ring nitrogen atom having no double bonds between ring members or between ring members and non-ring members
    • C07D211/36—Heterocyclic compounds containing hydrogenated pyridine rings, not condensed with other rings with only hydrogen or carbon atoms directly attached to the ring nitrogen atom having no double bonds between ring members or between ring members and non-ring members with hetero atoms or with carbon atoms having three bonds to hetero atoms with at the most one bond to halogen, e.g. ester or nitrile radicals, directly attached to ring carbon atoms
    • C07D211/40—Oxygen atoms
    • C07D211/44—Oxygen atoms attached in position 4
    • C07D211/52—Oxygen atoms attached in position 4 having an aryl radical as the second substituent in position 4
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
    • C07D—HETEROCYCLIC COMPOUNDS
    • C07D211/00—Heterocyclic compounds containing hydrogenated pyridine rings, not condensed with other rings
    • C07D211/04—Heterocyclic compounds containing hydrogenated pyridine rings, not condensed with other rings with only hydrogen or carbon atoms directly attached to the ring nitrogen atom
    • C07D211/06—Heterocyclic compounds containing hydrogenated pyridine rings, not condensed with other rings with only hydrogen or carbon atoms directly attached to the ring nitrogen atom having no double bonds between ring members or between ring members and non-ring members
    • C07D211/36—Heterocyclic compounds containing hydrogenated pyridine rings, not condensed with other rings with only hydrogen or carbon atoms directly attached to the ring nitrogen atom having no double bonds between ring members or between ring members and non-ring members with hetero atoms or with carbon atoms having three bonds to hetero atoms with at the most one bond to halogen, e.g. ester or nitrile radicals, directly attached to ring carbon atoms
    • C07D211/56—Nitrogen atoms
    • C07D211/58—Nitrogen atoms attached in position 4
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
    • C07D—HETEROCYCLIC COMPOUNDS
    • C07D211/00—Heterocyclic compounds containing hydrogenated pyridine rings, not condensed with other rings
    • C07D211/04—Heterocyclic compounds containing hydrogenated pyridine rings, not condensed with other rings with only hydrogen or carbon atoms directly attached to the ring nitrogen atom
    • C07D211/06—Heterocyclic compounds containing hydrogenated pyridine rings, not condensed with other rings with only hydrogen or carbon atoms directly attached to the ring nitrogen atom having no double bonds between ring members or between ring members and non-ring members
    • C07D211/36—Heterocyclic compounds containing hydrogenated pyridine rings, not condensed with other rings with only hydrogen or carbon atoms directly attached to the ring nitrogen atom having no double bonds between ring members or between ring members and non-ring members with hetero atoms or with carbon atoms having three bonds to hetero atoms with at the most one bond to halogen, e.g. ester or nitrile radicals, directly attached to ring carbon atoms
    • C07D211/60—Carbon atoms having three bonds to hetero atoms with at the most one bond to halogen, e.g. ester or nitrile radicals
    • C07D211/62—Carbon atoms having three bonds to hetero atoms with at the most one bond to halogen, e.g. ester or nitrile radicals attached in position 4
    • C07D211/64—Carbon atoms having three bonds to hetero atoms with at the most one bond to halogen, e.g. ester or nitrile radicals attached in position 4 having an aryl radical as the second substituent in position 4
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
    • C07D—HETEROCYCLIC COMPOUNDS
    • C07D295/00—Heterocyclic compounds containing polymethylene-imine rings with at least five ring members, 3-azabicyclo [3.2.2] nonane, piperazine, morpholine or thiomorpholine rings, having only hydrogen atoms directly attached to the ring carbon atoms
    • C07D295/04—Heterocyclic compounds containing polymethylene-imine rings with at least five ring members, 3-azabicyclo [3.2.2] nonane, piperazine, morpholine or thiomorpholine rings, having only hydrogen atoms directly attached to the ring carbon atoms with substituted hydrocarbon radicals attached to ring nitrogen atoms
    • C07D295/14—Heterocyclic compounds containing polymethylene-imine rings with at least five ring members, 3-azabicyclo [3.2.2] nonane, piperazine, morpholine or thiomorpholine rings, having only hydrogen atoms directly attached to the ring carbon atoms with substituted hydrocarbon radicals attached to ring nitrogen atoms substituted by carbon atoms having three bonds to hetero atoms with at the most one bond to halogen, e.g. ester or nitrile radicals
    • C07D295/155—Heterocyclic compounds containing polymethylene-imine rings with at least five ring members, 3-azabicyclo [3.2.2] nonane, piperazine, morpholine or thiomorpholine rings, having only hydrogen atoms directly attached to the ring carbon atoms with substituted hydrocarbon radicals attached to ring nitrogen atoms substituted by carbon atoms having three bonds to hetero atoms with at the most one bond to halogen, e.g. ester or nitrile radicals with the ring nitrogen atoms and the carbon atoms with three bonds to hetero atoms separated by carbocyclic rings or by carbon chains interrupted by carbocyclic rings
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
    • C07D—HETEROCYCLIC COMPOUNDS
    • C07D401/00—Heterocyclic compounds containing two or more hetero rings, having nitrogen atoms as the only ring hetero atoms, at least one ring being a six-membered ring with only one nitrogen atom
    • C07D401/02—Heterocyclic compounds containing two or more hetero rings, having nitrogen atoms as the only ring hetero atoms, at least one ring being a six-membered ring with only one nitrogen atom containing two hetero rings
    • C07D401/06—Heterocyclic compounds containing two or more hetero rings, having nitrogen atoms as the only ring hetero atoms, at least one ring being a six-membered ring with only one nitrogen atom containing two hetero rings linked by a carbon chain containing only aliphatic carbon atoms
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
    • C07D—HETEROCYCLIC COMPOUNDS
    • C07D471/00—Heterocyclic compounds containing nitrogen atoms as the only ring hetero atoms in the condensed system, at least one ring being a six-membered ring with one nitrogen atom, not provided for by groups C07D451/00 - C07D463/00
    • C07D471/02—Heterocyclic compounds containing nitrogen atoms as the only ring hetero atoms in the condensed system, at least one ring being a six-membered ring with one nitrogen atom, not provided for by groups C07D451/00 - C07D463/00 in which the condensed system contains two hetero rings
    • C07D471/10—Spiro-condensed systems

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to novel compounds which are NK3 receptor antagonists and as such useful for treatment of diseases where the NK3 receptor is implicated.
  • Substance P Three tachykinins, Substance P (SP), neurokinin A (NKA) and neurokinin B (NKB) are widely distributed throughout the peripheral and central nervous systems. The biological effects of these neuropeptides are primary mediated via binding to and subsequent activation of the three neurokinin receptors, NK1, NK2 and NK3.
  • Substance P is considered to be the endogenous ligand for the NK1 receptor and likewise NKA and NKB for the NK2 and NK3 receptors, respectively.
  • the three tachykinin receptors are expressed both centrally and in the periphery.
  • the NK3 receptor is mainly expressed centrally in regions including cortex, striatum, substantia nigra compacta, ventral tegmental area, hypothalamus, amygdala and hippocampus ( Stroessl AJ et al: Brain Res. 1990, 534, p1-7 , Koutcherov Y et al: Neuroreport. 2000, 11, p3127-31 ).
  • the NK3 receptor is expressed in regions including colon, kidney, lungs and the urinary bladder ( Regoli D et al: Trends Pharmacol Sci.
  • NK3 receptor is expressed on cholinergic ( Chen LW et al: Neuroscience. 2001;103(2):413-22 ), noradrenergic (references within Oury-Donat F et al: J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 1995, 274, p148-54 ) and dopaminergic neurons ( Keegan KD et al: Br. J. Pharmacol. 1992, 105, p3-5 ).
  • activation of the NK3 receptor has been reported to be implicated in the regulation of various monoamine transmitters, e.g.
  • NK3 receptor-mediated regulation of monoamine systems supports that the NK3 receptor is involved in diverse functions including memory, learning, cortical processing and behavioral control ( Yip J et al: Br J Pharmacol. 1997, 122, p715-25 , Ding YQ et al: J Comp Neurol. 1996, 364, p290-310 , Mileusnic D et al: Neurobiol Aging. 1999, 20, p19-35 ) and that it is target for various psychological and neurological disorders ( Emonds-Alt X et al: Can J Physiol Pharmacol. 2002, 80, p482-8 , Kamali F, Curr Opin Investig Drugs.
  • NK3 receptor has been reported to be implicated in modulation of anxiety ( Ribeiro SJ et al: Neuropeptides. 1999, 33, p181-8 ).
  • SR142801 has effect against schizophrenia, in particular positive symptoms.
  • SR142801 is described in, e.g., EP 673928 .
  • the structure of SR142801 is outlined below (Kamali F: Curr Opin Investig Drugs. 2001, Jul;2(7):950-6 ).
  • NK3 receptor activation centrally has been reported to mediate hypertension and tachycardia ( Nagashima A et al: Brain Res. 487, 1989, p392-396 , Takano Y et al: Brain Res. 1990, 528, p231-7 , Picard P et al: Br J Pharmacol. 1994, 112, p240-9 ) whereas NK3 receptor activation in the periphery mediates hypotension and bradycardia ( Couture R et al: Naunyn Schmiedebergs Arch Pharmacol. 1989, 340, p547-57 ).
  • NK3 receptor activation decrease water, salt and alcohol intake ( Massi M et al: Brain Res Bull. 1991 26 p155-60 , Massi M et al: Neurosci Lett. 1988, 92, p341-6 and Ciccocioppo R et al: Brain Res Bull. 1994, 33, p71-7 ) which together with the localization of the NK3 receptor on MCH neurons support a role of the NK3 receptor in the regulation of food intake ( Griffond B et al: J Chem Neuroanat. 1997, 12, p183-9 ).
  • NK3 receptor is implicated in renal control of water and electrolyte homeostasis ( Yuan YD: Br J Pharmacol. 1997, 120, p785-96 ).
  • Activation of the NK3 receptor has been reported to inhibit gastric acid secretion ( Improta G et al: Peptides. 1991, 12, p1433-4 ), induce oral dyskinesia ( Liminga U et al: Pharmacol Biochem Behav. 1991, 38, p617-20 ) and oedema ( Inoue H et al: Inflamm Res. 1996, 45, p316-23 ).
  • NK3 receptor antagonists are of relevance for the treatment or prevention of various disorders including: schizophrenia, depression, anxiety, Parkinson's disease, pain, convulsions, cough, asthma, airway hyperresponsiveness, microvascular hypersensitivity, bronchoconstriction, gut inflammation, inflammatory bowel disease, hypertension, imbalances in water and electrolyte homeostasis, ischemia, oedema and plasma extravasation.
  • NK3 receptor antagonists there is a desire for NK3 receptor antagonists.
  • the present inventors have now found such compounds with a strong affinity for the NK3 receptor.
  • NK receptor antagonist e.g. EP 474561 , EP 512901 and WO 03/051869 .
  • some patent applications relate to compounds disclosed as NK3 receptor antagonist, e.g. WO 9710211 , US 5434158 and EP 673928 .
  • US 5750549 disclose cyclopentane derivatives as NK1 receptor antagonist.
  • the compounds of the present invention are all cyclopropyl derivates. As described in the following, some patent applications relate to different cyclopropane derivatives. However, none of these patent applications relates to the NK3 receptor or others of the NK receptors.
  • JP 03056415 describes cyclopropane derivatives of the following formula for treatment of cerebral ischemia.
  • EP 68999 describes cyclopropane derivatives of the following formula for treatment of depression.
  • the objective of the present invention is to provide compounds that are antagonists at the NK3 receptor. Some of the compounds may also have affinity for the NK1 and/or NK2 receptor.
  • the present invention relates to a compound having the general formula I: wherein the substituents are as defined herein, or a salt thereof, in particular a pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt thereof.
  • the invention in particular provides the (1S,2R)-isomer of such compounds.
  • the invention provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of formula I as defined herein or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. Accordingly, the invention provides a compound of formula I as defined herein or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof for use in medicine.
  • the invention also provides the use of a compound of formula I as defined herein or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof for the preparation of a medicament for the treatment of diseases selected from the group consisting of: schizophrenia, psychotic disorders, depression, anxiety, Parkinson's disease, pain, convulsions, cough, asthma, airway hyperresponsiveness, microvascular hypersensitivity, bronchoconstriction, gut inflammation, inflammatory bowel disease, hypertension, imbalances in water and electrolyte homeostasis, ischemia, oedema and plasma extravasation.
  • diseases selected from the group consisting of: schizophrenia, psychotic disorders, depression, anxiety, Parkinson's disease, pain, convulsions, cough, asthma, airway hyperresponsiveness, microvascular hypersensitivity, bronchoconstriction, gut inflammation, inflammatory bowel disease, hypertension, imbalances in water and electrolyte homeostasis, ischemia, oedema and plasma extravasation.
  • halogen means fluoro, chloro, bromo or iodo.
  • C 1-6 -alk(en/yn)yl means a C 1-6 -alkyl, a C 2-6 -alkenyl or a C 2-6 -alkynyl group.
  • C 1-6 alkyl refers to a branched or unbranched alkyl group having from one to six carbon atoms inclusive, including but not limited to methyl, ethyl, 1-propyl, 2-propyl, 1-butyl, 2-butyl, 2-methyl-2-propyl and 2-methyl-1-propyl.
  • C 2-6 alkenyl designates such groups having from two to six carbon atoms, including one double bond, including but not limited to ethenyl, propenyl, and butenyl.
  • C 2-6 alkynyl designates such groups having from two to six carbon atoms, including one triple bond, including but not limited to ethynyl, propynyl and butynyl.
  • C 3-8 -cycloalk(en)yl means a C 3-8 -cycloalkyl or a C 3-8 -cycloalkenyl group.
  • C 3-8 -cycloalkyl designates a monocyclic or bicyclic carbocycle having three to eight C-atoms, including but not limited to cyclopropyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, etc.
  • C 3-8 -cycloalkenyl designates a monocyclic or bicyclic carbocycle having three to eight C-atoms and one double bond, including but not limited to cyclopropenyl, cyclopentenyl, cyclohexenyl, etc.
  • C 3-8 -cycloalk(en)yl-C 1-6 -alk(en/yn)yl the terms “C 3-8 -cycloalk(en)yl” and “C 1-6 alk(en/yn)yl” are as defined above.
  • C 1-6 -alk(en/yn)yloxy refers to groups of the formula C 1-6 -alk(en/yn)yl-O-, wherein C 1-6 -alk(en/yn)yl is as defmed above.
  • C 1-6 -alk(en/yn)yl-carbonyl refers to groups of formula C 1-6 -alk(en/yn)yl-CO-, C 1-6 -alk(en/yn)yl-NH-CO- and (C 1-6 -alk(en/yn)yl) 2 -N-CO-, respectively, wherein C 1-6 -alk(en/yn)yl is as defmed above.
  • acryl refers to formyl, C 1-6 -alk(en/yn)ylcarbonyl, arylcarbonyl, aryl-C 1-6 -alk(en/yn)ylcarbonyl, C 3-8 -cycloalk(en)ylcarbonyl or a C 3-8 -cycloalk(en)yl-C 1-6 -alk(en/yn)yl-carbonyl group, wherein C 1-6 -alk(en/yn) and C 3-8 -cycloalk(en)yl are as defined above and aryl is as defined below.
  • thioacyl is the corresponding acyl group, in which the carbonyl group is replaced with a thiocarbonyl group.
  • aryl refers to a carbocyclic aromatic group, such as phenyl or naphthyl, in particular phenyl and includes both substituted or unsubstituted carbocyclic aromatic groups.
  • the aryl is optionally substituted with one or more substituents selected from the substituent list as defined below.
  • aryl as used herein means an optionally substituted carbocyclic aromatic group, e.g. phenyl or naphthyl, such that said aromatic group is substituted with one or more substituents selected from the substituent list defined below, e.g., C 1-6 -alkyl or halogen.
  • the aryl is preferably mono- or bicyclic.
  • heteroaryl refers to an aromatic group containing at least one carbon atom and one or more heteroatoms selected from O, S or N.
  • heteroaryl refers to a mono- or bicyclic heterocyclic group including but not limited to indolyl, thienyl, pyrimidyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, thiazolyl, isothiazolyl, imidazolyl, benzofuranyl, benzothienyl, pyridyl and furanyl, in particular pyrimidyl, indolyl, and thienyl.
  • heteroaryl as used herein includes both substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl.
  • the heteroaryl is optionally substituted with one or more substituents selected from the substituent list as defined below, e.g., C 1-6 -alkyl or halogen.
  • monocyclic heteroaryl refers to 5- to 6- membered aromatic systems containing 1 to 5 carbon atoms and one or more heteroatoms selected from O, S or N.
  • heteroaryl refers to 5-membered monocyclic rings such as, but not limited to, 1 H -tetrazolyl, 3 H -1,2,3-oxathiazolyl, 3 H -1,2,4-oxathiazolyl, 3 H -1,2,5-oxathiazolyl, 1,3,2-oxathiazolyl, 1,3,4-oxathiazolyl, 1,4,2-oxathiazolyl, 3 H -1,2,4-dioxazolyl, 1,3,2-dioxazolyl, 1,4,2-dioxazolyl, 3 H -1,2,3-dithiazolyl, 3 H -1,2,4-dithiazolyl, 1,3,2-dithiazolyl, 1,4,2-dithiazolyl, 1,2,3-oxadiazolyl, 1,2,4-oxadiazolyl, 1,2,5-oxadiazolyl, 1,3,4-oxadiazolyl
  • heteroaryl refers to 6-membered monocyclic rings such as, but not limited to, 1,2,3-oxathiazinyl, 1,2,4-oxathiazinyl, 1,2,5-oxathiazinyl, 4 H -1,3,5-oxathiazinyl, 1,4,2-oxathiazinyl, 1,4,3-oxathiazinyl, 1,2,3-dioxazinyl, 1,2,4-dioxazinyl, 4 H -1,3,2-dioxazinyl, 4 H -1,3,5-dioxazinyl, 1,4,2-dioxazinyl, 2 H -1,5,2-dioxazinyl, 1,2,3-dithiazinyl, 1,2,4-dithiazinyl, 4 H -1,3,2-dithiazinyl, 4 H -1,3,5-dithiazinyl, 1,4,2-dioxazin
  • heteroaryl also refers to bicyclic rings such as, but not limited to, 3 H- 1,2,3-benzoxathiazolyl, 1,3,2-benzodioxazolyl, 3 H -1,2,3-benzodithiazolyl, 1,3,2-benzodithiazolyl, benzfurazanyl, 1,2,3-benzoxadiazolyl, 1,2,3-benzothiadiazolyl, 2,1,3-benzothiadiazolyl, 1 H -benzotriazolyl, 1,2-benzisoxazolyl, 2,1-benzisoxazolyl, benzoxazolyl, 1,2-benzisothiazolyl, 2,1-benzisothiazolyl, benzothiazolyl, 1 H- benzimidazolyl, 1 H -indazolyl, 3 H -1,2-benzoxathiolyl, 1,3-benzoxathiolyl, 3 H -2,1-benzoxathiazolyl, 1 H
  • substituted list means substituents selected from the group consisting of: halogen, cyano, nitro, C 1-6 -alkyl (e.g methyl), C 1-6 -alkylamino, di-(C 1-6 -alkyl)amino, C 1-6 -alkylcarbonyl, aminocarbonyl, C 1-6 -alkylaminocarbonyl, di-(C 1-6 -alkyl)aminocarbonyl, C 1-6 -alkoxy, C 1-6 -alkylthio, alkylsulphonyl, hydroxy, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethylsulfonyl, C 1-6 -alkylcarbonylamino and C 1-6 -alkylcarbonylC 1-6 -alkylamino.
  • treatment as used herein in connection with a disease or disorders includes also prevention as the case may be.
  • the present invention relates to compounds of formula I which are antagonists at the NK3 receptor. These products may therefore be useful in the treatment of certain diseases such as, e.g., schizophrenia, psychotic disorders, depression, anxiety, or Parkinson's disease.
  • the invention relates to compounds of formula I, or a salt thereof, such as a pharmaceutically acceptable salt; wherein
  • Q is selected from (i)-(iii), the arrow indicating the attachment point: ; wherein R 10 is an optionally substituted aryl; wherein R 11 is selected from an optionally substituted aryl or optionally substituted benzyl, halo-C 1-6 -alk(en/yn)ylsulfonyl (e.g. trifluoromethylsulfonyl), C 1-6 -alk(en/yn)ylsulfonyl (e.g. C 1-6 -alkylsulfonyl), arylsulphonyl, arylacyl, C 1-6 -alk(en/yn)ylcarbonyl (e.g.
  • C 1-6 -alkylcarbonyl aminocarbonyl, C 1-6 -alk(en/yn)ylaminocarbonyl (e.g. C 1-6 -alkylaminocarbonyl), and di-(C 1-6 -alk(en)yl)aminocarbonyl (e.g. di-(C 1-6 -alkyl)aminocarbonyl); wherein R 12 is an optionally substituted aryl; wherein R 13 is hydrogen, hydroxy, cyano, or amino, or one of the following groups:
  • R 1 -R 5 are independently selected from hydrogen, halogen, cyano, C 1-6 -alkyl, C 3-8 -cycloalkyl, C 3-8 -cycloalkyl-C 1-6 -alkyl, C 1-6 -alkyloxy, C 1-6 -alkylthio, and trifluoromethyl;
  • R 1 -R 5 are independently selected from a hydrogen and C 1-6 -alkyl;
  • R 1 -R 5 are independently selected from hydrogen, Cl, F, cyano, methyl, methoxy, methylthio, and trifluoromethyl;
  • R 1 -R 5 are hydrogen;
  • R 1 -R 5 are independently selected from hydrogen and halogen;
  • R 1 -R 5 are independently selected from hydrogen, chloro and fluoro;
  • R 1 -R 5 are independently selected from hydrogen and chloro;
  • R 1 -R 5 are independently selected from hydrogen and chloro;
  • R 1 -R 5 are independently selected from hydrogen and chloro
  • a halogen e.g. F or Cl
  • C 1-6 -alkyl e.g. methyl
  • C 1-6 -alkoxy e.g. methoxy
  • 2 of R 1 -R 5 sre substituted, e.g. in the positions R 2 and R 3 , e.g. selected independently from the group consisting of a halogen (e.g. F or Cl), C 1-6 -alkyl (e.g. methyl), C 1-6 -alkoxy (e.g. methoxy) while the rest of R 1 -R 5 being hydrogen.
  • a halogen e.g. F or Cl
  • C 1-6 -alkyl e.g. methyl
  • C 1-6 -alkoxy e.g. methoxy
  • R 6 is selected from hydrogen, halo-C 1-6 -alkyl, C 1-6 -alkyl, C 3-8 -cycloalkyl, and C 3-8 -cycloalkyl-C 1- 6 -alkyl; R 6 is selected from hydrogen and C 1-6 -alk(en/yn)yl; R 6 is hydrogen; R 6 is a C 1-6 -alkyl; R 6 is methyl; R 6 is ethyl.
  • R 7 is aryl or heteroaryl, it is understood that the aryl and heteroaryl are as defined herein and may be selected among these.
  • R 7 is an aryl as defined herein.
  • R 7 is an unsubstituted phenyl
  • R 7 is phenyl substituted with one or more substituents, e.g.
  • R 7 is an unsubstituted phenyl and R 6 is hydrogen; R 7 is an unsubstituted phenyl and R 6 is methyl.
  • R 7 for which R 7 is a group aryl-CR 8 R 9 -, are within the scope of the invention, in particular for the compounds or salt thereof:
  • R 8 and R 9 are independently selected from hydrogen, C 1-6 -alkyl, C 3-8 -cycloalkyl and C 3-8 -cycloalkyl-C 1-6 -alkyl;
  • R 8 and R 9 are independently selected from hydrogen and C 1-6 -alkyl;
  • R 8 and R 9 are independently selected from hydrogen and methyl;
  • R 8 and R 9 are hydrogen;
  • R 8 is hydrogen and R 9 is methyl;
  • R 8 and R 9 are methyl.
  • the aryl of aryl-CR 8 R 9 - is as defined herein, i.e. it may, e.g., have one or more of the following characteristic: the aryl is monocyclic or bicyclic; the aryl is unsubstituted; the aryl is phenyl; the aryl is naphthalene, the aryl is substituted with one or more substituents, preferably selected from the group consisting of halogen, cyano, nitro, C 1-6 -alkyl, C 1-6 -alkylamino, di-(C 1-6 -alkyl)amino, C 1-6 -alkylcarbonyl, aminocarbonyl, C 1-6 -alkylaminocarbonyl, di-(C 1-6 -alkyl)aminocarbonyl, C 1-6 -alkylcarbonylamino, C 1-6 -alkylcarbonyl;
  • C 1-6 -alkylthio hydroxy, trifluoromethyland trifluoromethylsulfonyl
  • the aryl e.g. phenyl
  • the aryl is an optionally substituted phenyl
  • the aryl e.g. phenyl
  • R 7 is an aryl-CR 8 R 9 - selected from benzyl or substituted benzyl, e.g. halogen substituted benzyl, e.g. 4-halo benzyl, such as 4-fluorobenzyl, or 2-halo-benzyl, such as 2-chloro-benzyl, or 3,4-dichloro-benzylamide, 3,4-dimethoxy-benzylamide methyl-1-phenyl-ethyl, methyl-1-(4-methoxyphenyl)-ethyl, or naphthalen-1-ylmethyl.
  • benzyl or substituted benzyl e.g. halogen substituted benzyl, e.g. 4-halo benzyl, such as 4-fluorobenzyl, or 2-halo-benzyl, such as 2-chloro-benzyl, or 3,4-dichloro-benzylamide, 3,4-dimethoxy-benzylamide
  • the invention relates to a compound or salt of the invention wherein Q is (ii).
  • R 11 is selected from an optionally substituted (i.e. substituted or not) aryl or optionally substituted (i.e. substituted or not) benzyl, trifluoromethylsulfonyl, C 1-6 -alkylsulfonyl, arylsulphonyl, arylacyl, C 1-6 -alkylcarbonyl, aminocarbonyl, C 1-6 -alkylaminocarbonyl and di-(C 1-6 -alkyl)aminocarbonyl), wherein said aryl is selected from the aryls as defined herein.
  • the benzyl may be substituted with one ore more substituent selected from the substituent list as defined herein.
  • the invention relates to a compound or salt of the invention wherein Q is (iii).
  • R 12 is an aryl as defined herein;
  • R 12 is unsubstituted phenyl;
  • R 12 is a phenyl substituted with one or more substituents, e.g. mono or di-substituted, preferably selected from the substituent list as defined herein;
  • the aryl, e.g. phenyl, in R 12 is substituted with one or more, e.g. one or two substituents selected from a halogen and trifluoromehtyl;
  • the aryl e.g.
  • phenyl, in R 12 is substituted with at least one chloro or at least one fluoro and at least one trifluoromethyl; the aryl, e.g. phenyl, in R 12 is substituted with one Cl and one trifluoromehtyl; R 12 is 4-chloro-3-trifluromethyl-phenyl.
  • R 12 is an aryl substituted with one or more substituents selected from a halogen and aminoacyl and R 13 is hydrogen;
  • R 12 is phenyl substituted with one or more substituents, e.g. mono or di-substituted, selected from a halogen and aminoacyl and R 13 is hydrogen.
  • R 13 is hydroxy.
  • R 12 is 4-chloro-3-trifluromethyl-phenyl and R 13 is hydroxy.
  • R 13 is -NR 14 COR 15 , where R 14 and R 15 are as defined herein.
  • R 14 is hydrogen; R 14 is methyl; R 15 is methyl; R 14 is hydrogen or C 1-6 -alkyl and R 15 is C 1-6 -alkyl or C 3-8 -cycloalkyl; R 14 is H or CH 3 ; R 15 is CH 3 ; R 14 is hydrogen and R 15 is methyl; R 14 and R 15 are methyl.
  • R 13 is -NR 16 COCONR 17 R 18 , wherein R 16 , R 17 and R 18 is as defined herein.
  • R 16 is hydrogen or C 1-6 -alkyl and wherein R 17 and R 18 are selected independently from hydrogen, C 1-6 -alkyl and C 3-8 -cycloakl;
  • R 16 is hydrogen or C 1-6 -alkyl and where R 17 and R 18 together with the nitrogen to which they are attached form a piperidinyl, piperazinyl or morpholinyl, where said piperidinyl, piperazinyl and morpholinyl are optionally substituted with a C 1-6 -alkyl, e.g.
  • R 16 , R 17 and R 18 are hydrogen(i.e. oxalamide, -NHCOCONH 2 );
  • R 16 is C 1-6 -alkyl, and R 17 and R 18 are hydrogen (i.e. N -C 1-6 -alkyl oxalamide);
  • R 16 and R 17 are hydrogen and R 18 is C 1-6 -alkyl (i.e. N '-C 1-6 -alkyl- N -oxalamide);
  • R 16 and R 17 are C 1-6 -alkyl and R 18 is hydrogen (i.e.
  • R 13 is -NR 19 CONR 20 R 21 , wherein R 19 , R 20 and R 21 are as defined herein.
  • R 19 , R 20 and R 21 are independently selected from hydrogen, C 1-6 -alkyl and C 3-8 -cycloalkyl;
  • R 19 , R 20 and R 21 are independently selected from hydrogen and C 1-6 -alkyl;
  • R 19 , R 20 and R 21 are hydrogen;
  • R 19 is a C 1-6 -alkyl and R 20 and R 21 are hydrogen;
  • R 19 and R 20 are hydrogen and R 21 is a C 1-6 -alkyl;
  • R 19 and R 20 are independently selected from a C 1-6 -alkyl and R 21 is H;
  • R 19 , R 20 and R 21 are independently selected from a C 1-6 -alkyl; or
  • R 19 , R 20 and R 21 are independently selected
  • R 13 is -NR 22 SO 2 R 23 , wherein R 22 and R 23 are as defined herein.
  • R 22 is hydrogen or a C 1-6 -alkyl or C 3-8 -cycloalkyl and R 23 is amino, C 1-6 -alkyl or C 3-8 -cycloalkyl;
  • R 22 is hydrogen and R 23 is a C 1-6 -alkyl, e.g. methyl (i.e.
  • N -(C 1-6 -alkylsulphonamide) or R 22 and R 23 are independently selected from a C 1-6 -alkyl, e.g. methyl i.e. N -C 1-6 -alkyl (C 1-6 -alkylsulphonamide); R 22 is hydrogen; R 23 is methyl; R 22 and R 23 are methyl; R 22 is hydrogen and R 23 is methyl.
  • R 13 is -COR 24 , wherein R 24 is as defined herein.
  • R 24 is a C 1-6 -alkyl; R 24 is methyl.
  • R 13 is -CONR 25 R 26 , wherein R 25 and R 26 are as defined herein.
  • R 25 and R 26 are independently selected from hydrogen, C 1-6 -alkyl and C 3-8 -cycloalkyl;
  • R 25 and R 26 are independently selected from hydrogen and methyl;
  • R 25 and R 26 are hydrogen;
  • R 25 and R 26 are methyl;
  • R 25 is methyl and R 26 is hydrogen;
  • R 25 and R 26 together with the nitrogen to which they are attached form a piperidinyl, piperazinyl or morpholinyl, wherein said piperidinyl
  • the compounds of the present invention may have one or more asymmetric centers and it is intended that any optical isomers (i.e. enantiomers or diastereomers), as separated, pure or partially purified optical isomers and any mixtures thereof including racemic mixtures, i.e. a mixture of stereoisomeres, are included within the scope of the invention.
  • the compounds of the general formula I exist as optical isomers thereof and such optical isomers are also embraced by the invention.
  • the compounds of the invention possessing the absolute stereochemistry (1S,2R) are within the invention, either as enantiomers or as mixtures containing compounds of the invention possessing the absolute stereochemistry (1S,2R).
  • an important aspect of the invention is a compound or salt of the invention as described herein, wherein the compound of formula I is the (1S,2R)-isomer i.e. the compound with absolute configuration as shown in formula IA.
  • the compound of the invention of formula I or the salt thereof may be part of a racemic mixtures comprising the (1S,2R)-isomer, i.e. the compound shown in formula IA or it may be present as the enantiomer, i.e. without the 3 others stereoisomers.
  • the invention in further embodiment relates to a compound of formula I which compound is the (1R,2R)-isomer.
  • the invention in further embodiment relates to a compound of formula I which compound is the (1R,2S)-isomer.
  • the invention in further embodiment relates to a compound of formula I which compound is the (1S,2S)-isomer.
  • one embodiment of the invention relates to a compound of the invention having an enantiomeric excess of at least 60% (60% enantiomeric excess means that the ratio of Va to its enantiomer is 80:20 in the mixture in question), at least 70%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 96%, preferably at least 98%.
  • mixture of stereoisomeres comprising the (1S,2R)-isomer of formula 1
  • the compound of the invention i.e. product, may be any one of the following mixture of stereoisomeres: a (1S,2R)-isomer and a (1R,2R)-isomer of formula 1; a (1S,2R)-isomer and a (1R,2S)-isomer of formula 1; a (1S,2R)-isomer and a (1S,2R)-isomer of formula 1; a (1S,2R)-isomer and a (1S,2S)-isomer of formula 1; a (1S,2R)-isomer and a (1R,2R)-isomer of formula 1, i.e. consisting of 2, 3 or 4 of the corresponding stereoisomers.
  • Racemic forms can be resolved into the optical antipodes by known methods, for example, by separation of diastereomeric salts thereof with an optically active acid, and liberating the optically active amine compound by treatment with a base. Another method for resolving racemates into the optical antipodes is based upon chromatography on an optically active matrix. Racemic compounds of the present invention can also be resolved into their optical antipodes, e.g. by fractional crystallization. The compounds of the present invention may also be resolved by the formation of diastereomeric derivatives. Additional methods for the resolution of optical isomers, known to those skilled in the art, may be used. Such methods include those discussed by J. Jaques, A. Collet and S. Wilen in "Enantiomers, Racemates, and Resolutions", John Wiley and Sons, New York (1981 ). Optically active compounds can also be prepared from optically active starting materials.
  • geometric isomers may be formed. It is intended that any geometric isomers, as separated, pure or partially purified geometric isomers or mixtures thereof are included within the scope of the invention. Likewise, molecules having a bond with restricted rotation may form geometric isomers. These are also intended to be included within the scope of the present invention.
  • the compound of the invention is any one of:
  • the compound is any one of the following compounds:
  • the compound is any one of:
  • Within the invention is also a compound selected from the group consisting of 19b, 40b, 41b, 58b, 62b, 63b, 67b, 77b which is the (1S,2R)-isomer, i.e. having an absolute configuration as shown in formula IA; or a salt thereof, such as a pharmaceutically acceptable salt.
  • the present invention also comprises salts of the compounds of the invention, typically, pharmaceutically acceptable salts.
  • Such salts include pharmaceutical acceptable acid addition salts, pharmaceutically acceptable metal salts, ammonium and alkylated ammonium salts.
  • Acid addition salts include salts of inorganic acids as well as organic acids.
  • suitable inorganic acids include hydrochloric, hydrobromic, hydroiodic, phosphoric, sulfuric, sulfamic, nitric acids and the like.
  • suitable organic acids include formic, acetic, trichloroacetic, trifluoroacetic, propionic, benzoic, cinnamic, citric, fumaric, glycolic, itaconic, lactic, methanesulfonic, maleic, malic, malonic, mandelic, oxalic, picric, pyruvic, salicylic, succinic, methane sulfonic, ethanesulfonic, tartaric, ascorbic, pamoic, bismethylene salicylic, ethanedisulfonic, gluconic, citraconic, aspartic, stearic, palmitic, EDTA,; glycolic, p-aminobenzoic, glutamic, benzenesulfonic, p-toluenesulfonic acids, theophylline acetic acids, as well as the 8-halotheophyllines, for example 8-bromotheophylline and the
  • metal salts examples include lithium, sodium, potassium, magnesium salts and the like.
  • ammonium and alkylated ammonium salts include ammonium, methyl-, dimethyl-, trimethyl-, ethyl-, hydroxyethyl-, diethyl-, n-butyl-, sec-butyl-, tert-butyl-, tetramethylammonium salts and the like.
  • Also intended as pharmaceutical acceptable acid addition salts are the hydrates, which the present compounds, are able to form.
  • the compounds of this invention may exist in unsolvated as well as in solvated forms with pharmaceutically acceptable solvents such as water, ethanol and the like.
  • the solvated forms are considered equivalent to the unsolvated forms for the purposes of this invention.
  • the compounds (including salts thereof) of the invention are NK3 receptor antagonists having a human NK3 binding affinity (K i ) of 5 ⁇ M or less, typically of 1 ⁇ M or less, and preferably of 200 nM or less, e.g. as measured by the method described in Example 20.
  • K i human NK3 binding affinity
  • a further objective of the present invention is to provide compounds, including salts thereof, with such activities which have one or more of the following parameters which are improved: solubility, metabolic stability and bioavailability compared to prior art compounds.
  • the compounds of the invention are NK3 receptor antagonists and may thus be useful for treatment in a disorder or disease wherein the NK3 receptor is implicated.
  • Compounds of the invention and the salt thereof may be applicable for treatment, including prevention, of schizophrenia, psychotic disorders, depression, anxiety, Parkinson's disease, pain, convulsions, cough, asthma, airway hyperresponsiveness, microvascular hypersensitivity, bronchoconstriction, gut inflammation, inflammatory bowel disease, hypertension, imbalances in water and electrolyte homeostasis, ischemia, oedema or plasma extravasation.
  • the compounds of the invention and the salt thereof can be used as an antipsychotic.
  • a compound of the invention may be useful for the treatment of a disease or disorder in the central nervous system.
  • the compound of the invention or salt thereof may also have some NK1 and/or NK2 activity in addition to the NK3 activity as described herein. Accordingly, the compound of the invention and the salts thereof may also be useful for the treatment, including prevention, of diseases where the NK1 receptor and/or the NK2 receptor is implicated, especially emesis, depression or anxiety.
  • the invention relates to a compound of the invention or salts thereof for use as a medicament.
  • the present invention also relates to a pharmaceutical composition
  • a pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of the invention or a salt thereof and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or a diluent.
  • the composition may comprise any one of the embodiments of formula I described herein.
  • the present invention also relates to use of a compound of the invention or a salt thereof, for the preparation of a medicament for the treatment of a disease or disorder, wherein an NK receptor antagonist, in particular an NK3 receptor antagonist is beneficial.
  • the medicament may comprise any one of the embodiments of formula I described herein.
  • the present invention relates to use of a compound of the invention or a salt thereof for the preparation of a medicament for the treatment of any of the diseases indicated herein, including psychotic disorders, in particular schizophrenia.
  • the invention also relates to use of a compound of the invention or a salt thereof for the preparation of a medicament for the treatment or prevention of depression or anxiety.
  • the invention also relates to use of a compound of the invention or a salt thereof for the preparation of a medicament for the treatment or prevention of Parkinson's disease.
  • the invention also relates to use of a compound of the invention or a salt thereof for the preparation of a medicament for the treatment or prevention of convulsions.
  • the compounds of the invention or the salt thereof may be administered alone or in combination with pharmaceutically acceptable carriers or excipients, in either single or multiple doses.
  • the pharmaceutical compositions according to the invention may be formulated with pharmaceutically acceptable carriers or diluents as well as any other known adjuvants and excipients in accordance with conventional techniques such as those disclosed in Remington: The Science and Practice of Pharmacy, 19 Edition, Gennaro, Ed., Mack Publishing Co., Easton, PA, 1995 .
  • compositions may be specifically formulated for administration by any suitable route such as the oral, rectal, nasal, pulmonary, topical (including buccal and sublingual), transdermal, intracisternal, intraperitoneal, vaginal and parenteral (including subcutaneous, intramuscular, intrathecal, intravenous and intradermal) route, the oral route being preferred. It will be appreciated that the preferred route will depend on the general condition and age of the subject to be treated, the nature of the condition to be treated and the active ingredient chosen.
  • compositions for oral administration include solid dosage forms such as capsules, tablets, dragees, pills, lozenges, powders and granules. Where appropriate, they can be prepared with coatings such as enteric coatings or they can be formulated so as to provide controlled release of the active ingredient such as sustained or prolonged release according to methods well known in the art.
  • Liquid dosage forms for oral administration include solutions, emulsions, suspensions, syrups and elixirs.
  • compositions for parenteral administration include sterile aqueous and non-aqueous injectable solutions, dispersions, suspensions or emulsions as well as sterile powders to be reconstituted in sterile injectable solutions or dispersions prior to use. Depot injectable formulations are also contemplated as being within the scope of the present invention.
  • Suitable administration forms include suppositories, sprays, ointments, cremes, gels, inhalants, dermal patches, implants, etc.
  • the compound of the invention administered in an amount of from about 0.001 to about 100 mg/kg body weight per day.
  • the compounds of the invention are administered in a unit dosage form containing said compounds in an amount of about 0.01 to 100 mg.
  • the total daily dose is usually in the range of about 0.05 - 500 mg.
  • a typical oral dosage is in the range of from about 0.001 to about 100 mg/kg body weight per day, preferably from about 0.01 to about 50 mg/kg body weight per day, and more preferred from about 0.05 to about 10 mg/kg body weight per day administered in one or more dosages such as 1 to 3 dosages.
  • the exact dosage will depend upon the frequency and mode of administration, the sex, age, weight and general condition of the subject treated, the nature and severity of the condition treated and any concomitant diseases to be treated and other factors evident to those skilled in the art.
  • a typical unit dosage form for oral administration one or more times per day such as 1 to 3 times per day may contain from 0.01 to about 1000 mg, preferably from about 0.05 to about 500 mg, and more preferred from about 0.5 mg to about 200 mg.
  • typically doses are in the order of about half the dose employed for oral administration.
  • the compounds of this invention are generally utilized as the free substance or as a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
  • One example is an acid addition salt of a compound having the utility of a free base.
  • a compound of the invention contains a free base such salts are prepared in a conventional manner by treating a solution or suspension of a free base of the invention with a chemical equivalent of a pharmaceutically acceptable acid. Representative examples are mentioned above.
  • solutions of the compound of the invention in sterile aqueous solution aqueous propylene glycol, aqueous vitamin E or sesame or peanut oil may be employed.
  • aqueous solutions should be suitably buffered if necessary and the liquid diluent first rendered isotonic with sufficient saline or glucose.
  • the aqueous solutions are particularly suitable for intravenous, intramuscular, subcutaneous and intraperitoneal administration.
  • the sterile aqueous media employed are all readily available by standard techniques known to those skilled in the art.
  • Suitable pharmaceutical carriers include inert solid diluents or fillers, sterile aqueous solution and various organic solvents.
  • solid carriers are lactose, terra alba, sucrose, cyclodextrin, talc, gelatin, agar, pectin, acacia, magnesium stearate, stearic acid and lower alkyl ethers of cellulose.
  • liquid carriers are syrup, peanut oil, olive oil, phospho lipids, fatty acids, fatty acid amines, polyoxyethylene and water.
  • the carrier or diluent may include any sustained release material known in the art, such as glyceryl monostearate or glyceryl distearate, alone or mixed with a wax.
  • the pharmaceutical compositions formed by combining the compound of the invention and the pharmaceutical acceptable carriers are then readily administered in a variety of dosage forms suitable for the disclosed routes of administration.
  • the formulations may conveniently be presented in unit dosage form by methods known in the art of pharmacy.
  • Formulations of the present invention suitable for oral administration may be presented as discrete units such as capsules or tablets, each containing a predetermined. amount of the active ingredient, and which may include a suitable excipient.
  • the orally available formulations may be in the form of a powder or granules, a solution or suspension in an aqueous or non-aqueous liquid, or an oil-in-water or water-in-oil liquid emulsion.
  • the preparation may be tablets, placed in a hard gelatin capsule in powder or pellet form or it can be in the form of a troche or lozenge.
  • the amount of solid carrier will vary widely but will usually be from about 25 mg to about 1 g.
  • the preparation may be in the form of a syrup, emulsion, soft gelatin capsule or sterile injectable liquid such as an aqueous or non-aqueous liquid suspension or solution.
  • the pharmaceutical formulations of the invention may be prepared by conventional methods in the art.
  • Tablets may be prepared by mixing the active ingredient with ordinary adjuvants and/or diluents and subsequently compressing the mixture in a conventional tabletting machine.
  • adjuvants or diluents comprise: Corn starch, potato starch, talcum, magnesium stearate, gelatine, lactose, gums, and the like. Any other adjuvants or additives usually used for such purposes such as colourings, flavourings, preservatives etc. may be used provided that they are compatible with the active ingredients.
  • Solutions for injections may be prepared by dissolving the active ingredient and possible additives in a part of the solvent for injection, preferably sterile water, adjusting the solution to the desired volume, sterilising the solution and filling it in suitable ampoules or vials.
  • Any suitable additive conventionally used in the art may be added, such as tonicity agents, preservatives, antioxidants, etc.
  • Typical examples of recipes for the formulation of the invention are as follows: 1) Tablets containing 5.0 mg of a compound of the invention calculated as the free base: Compound 5.0 mg Lactose 60 mg Maize starch 30 mg Hydroxypropylcellulose 2.4 mg Microcrystalline cellulose 19.2 mg Croscarmellose Sodium Type A 2.4 mg Magnesium stearate 0.84 mg 2) Tablets containing 0.5 mg of a compound of the invention calculated as the free base: Compound 0.5 mg Lactose 46.9 mg Maize starch 23.5 mg Povidone 1.8 mg Microcrystalline cellulose 14.4 mg Croscarmellose Sodium Type A 1.8 mg Magnesium stearate 0.63 mg 3) Syrup containing per millilitre: Compound 25 mg Sorbitol 500 mg Hydroxypropylcellulose 15 mg.
  • the compounds of the invention may be prepared as follows:
  • the alkylation according to method 1 is conveniently performed in an organic solvent such as a suitably boiling alcohol or ketone, preferably in the presence of an organic or inorganic base (potassium carbonate, diisopropylethylamine or triethylamine) at reflux temperature.
  • an organic or inorganic base potassium carbonate, diisopropylethylamine or triethylamine
  • the alkylation can be performed at a fixed temperature, which is different from the boiling point, in one of the above-mentioned solvents or in dimethyl formamide (DMF), dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), or N-methylpyrrolidin-2-one (NMP), preferably in the presence of a base.
  • DMF dimethyl formamide
  • DMSO dimethylsulfoxide
  • NMP N-methylpyrrolidin-2-one
  • Standard chain elongation methods are described in standard works such as Houben-Weyl, Methoden der organischen Chemie (Methods of Organic Chemistry), Georg-Thieme-Verlag, Stuttgart ; or Organic Reactions, John Wiley & Sons, Inc. New York , namely under reaction conditions such as those which are known and suitable for such reactions.
  • the amines of formula III are either commercially available or can be prepared by methods analogues to those described in the literature e.g. Marxer et al. J. Org. Chem. 1975, 40, 1427 , by Parham et al. J. Org. Chem. 1976, 41, 2628 and by Bauer et al. J. Med. Chem. 1976, 19, 1315 , Maligres et al. Tetrahedron 1997, 53, 10983 , and by Cheng et al. Tet. Lett. 1997, 38, 1497 , Chen, Meng-Hsin; Abraham, John A. Tetrahedron Lett. 1996, 37, 5233-5234 and Slade, P.D. et al. J. Med. Chem. 1998, 41, 1218-1235 or as described by the methods used in the examples or analogues methods.
  • the reductive alkylation according to method 2 is performed by standard literature methods.
  • Aldehydes or acids of the formula IV can be prepared by methods analogues to those described in e.g. Shuto et al. J. Org. Chem. 1996, 61, 915 and Shuto et al. J. Med. Chern. 1996, 38, 2964 and Shuto et al. J. Chem. Soc., Perkin Trans. 1, 2002, 1199 and Bonnaud et al. J. Med. Chem. 1987, 30, 318 .
  • the reaction can be performed in two steps, e.g.
  • reaction can be performed in one step by reductive amination of an aldehyde of formula IV with an amine of formula III according to methods described in standard works such as Houben-Weyl, Methoden der organischen Chemie (Methods of Organic Chemistry), Georg-Thieme-Verlag, Stuttgart ; Organic Reactions, John Wiley & Sons, Inc. New York , namely under reaction conditions such as those which are known and suitable for such reactions.
  • acylation of amine VI in method 3 with an ester of formula VII can be performed by methods analogues to those described in the literature e.g. Lesimple et al. Synthesis 1991, 306.
  • Amines of formula VI are either commercially available or can be prepared by methods known in the literature according to methods described in standard works such as Houben-Weyl, Methoden der organischen Chemie (Methods of Organic Chemistry), Georg-Thieme-Verlag, Stuttgart ; Organic Reactions, John Wiley & Sons, Inc. New York , namely under reaction conditions such as those which are known and suitable for such reactions and esters of fomula VII can be made by methods analogues to those described in the literature e.g. Shuto et al. J. Org. Chem. 1996, 61, 915 and Ronsisvalle et al. Biorg. Med. Chem. 2000, 8, 1503 and Bonnaud et al. J. Med. Chem. 1987, 30, 318 .
  • acylation of amine VI in method 4 with an acid of formula VIII can be performed by standard methods via the carboxylic acid chloride, activated esters or by the use of carboxylic acids in combination with a coupling reagent such as e.g. dicyclohexyl carbodiimide, carbonyl diimidazole or benzotriazol-1-loxytris(dimethylamino)phosphonium hexafluorophosphate as described in standard works e.g.
  • a coupling reagent such as e.g. dicyclohexyl carbodiimide, carbonyl diimidazole or benzotriazol-1-loxytris(dimethylamino)phosphonium hexafluorophosphate as described in standard works e.g.
  • the reduction of amine IX in method 5 can be performed by standard methods e.g. hydrogenate using a Parr apparatus (ambient temperature, 3 atm. H 2 ) and adding a catalyst e.g. Crabtree's catalyst ([(1,5-cyclooctadiene)(pyridine)(tricyclohexylphosphine)iridium(I) hexafluorophosphate]), palladium or platinum oxide.
  • a catalyst e.g. Crabtree's catalyst ([(1,5-cyclooctadiene)(pyridine)(tricyclohexylphosphine)iridium(I) hexafluorophosphate]
  • the amine of formula IX can be prepared by the same procedure as described in method 2 , using an oxo-alkenyl compound of formula X , which can be prepared by a wittig reaction between an aldehyde of formula IVa and a wittig reagent derived from (1,3-Dioxolan-2-ylmethyl)triphenylphosphonium bromide in the presence of a suitable base.
  • Mass spectra were obtained by an alternating scan method to give molecular weight information.
  • the molecular ion, MH+ was obtained at low orifice voltage (5-20V) and fragmentation at high orifice voltage (100-200V).
  • Preparative LC-MS-separation was performed on the same instrument.
  • the LC conditions (C18 column 20 ⁇ 50 mm with a particle size of 5 ⁇ m) were linear gradient elution with water/acetonitrile/trifluoroacetic acid (80:20:0.05) to water/acetonitrile/trifluoroacetic acid (5:95:0.03) in 7 min at 22.7 mL/min. Fraction collection was performed by split-flow MS detection.
  • the enantiomeric purity was measured using capillary electrophoresis. Capillary length 48,5 cm x 50 ⁇ m I.D. at 30°C using a fixed current of 80 ⁇ A.
  • the buffer used was 25 mM sodium hydrogen phosphate pH 3.0 containing 4% (w/v) sulphated ⁇ -cyclodextrin. Detection was done using UV-spectrometer at 192 nm. Sample concentration was 500 ⁇ g/ml in methanol and injection was performed by pressure at 50 mbar for 5 seconds.
  • the enantiomeric purity was measured by chiral HPLC using a Gilson SF3 supercritical fluid chromatography system equipped with chiralcelOD columns (4.6 mm x 25 cm for analytical and 10 mm x 25 cm for preparative runs). The particle size in the columns was 10 ⁇ m.
  • the column was eluted with carbondioxide - modifier (75:25). The modifier was 2-propanol with diethylamine (0.5%) and trifluoracetic acid (0.5%). The flow was 18.9 mL/min at 20 Mpa. Fraction collection was triggered by UV-detection (210 nM).
  • esters of formula VII were generally purified by precipitation of the oxalate salt from acetone.
  • Other esters of formula VII could be prepared by this method by using the appropriately substituted (1S,5R)-1-aryl-3-oxa-bicyclo[3.1.0]hexan-2-one and amine of formula III.
  • Triethylamine (5.02mL, 36.1mmol) and diphenylhosphoryl azide (4.24mL, 19.7mmol) are added to a solution of 1-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)-4-phenyl-4-piperidinecarboxylic acid (5.0g, 16.4mmol) in dry DMF (50mL) under nitrogen at ambient temperature. The mixture is stirred at ambient temperature for 2h, and then heated to 60°C for 3h. The mixture is slightly cooled and concentrated in vacuo. Water (75mL) is added to the remanence followed by extraction with ethyl acetate (2x75mL).
  • Example 8 Piperidines of formula III where Q is (iii), and R 12 is phenyl and R 13 is a group -NHCONR 20 R 21
  • Tetrakis(triphenylphosphine)palladium(0) (0.89 g, 0.77mmol) is added followed by sodium carbonate (4.10 g, 38.7 mmol) dissolved in water (25 ml). The mixture is heated at reflux for 3 hours, then stirred at ambient temperature overnight. Solvents are evaporated in vacuo, then ethyl acetate (50ml) and aqueous ammonia (dil.) are added to the remanence. The phases are separated and the aqueous layer is extracted with ethyl acetate (2 x 50 ml). The combined organic fractions are washed with brine (sat.), dried (MgSO 4 ), filtered and concentrated by means of evaporation.
  • N-(4-Fluoro-2-pyridin-4-yl-phenyl)-acetamide (2.37 g, 10.3 mmol) is dissolved in methanol (40 ml), then platinum oxide (0.2 g, 0.88 mmol) and glacial acetic acid (10 ml) are added.
  • the mixture is hydrogenated at a Parr apparatus (ambient temperature, 3 atm. H 2 ) for 24 hours.
  • the catalyst is removed by filtering through celite and the mixture is concentrated in vacuo.
  • the remanence is redissolved in ethyl acetate (40 ml) and a small amount of water (10 ml) is added.
  • the aqueous phase is made basic by addition of 2M NaOH and the layers are separated.
  • aqueous phase is extracted again with ethyl acetate (2 x 30 ml), then the combined organic fractions are washed with brine (sat.), dried (MgSO 4 ), filtered and concentrated in vacuo.
  • the hydrochloride salt is prepared by addition of ethereal HCl to a solution of the crude product in acetone. Precipitated material is filtered off and dried in vacuo to furnish 1.20 g (49%) of the title compound as a white crystalline material.
  • N,N'-carbonyldiimidazole (3.62g, 22.3mmol) followed by piperidine (3.74g, 43.9mmol) is added to a solution of 1-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)-4-phenyl-4-piperidinecarboxylic acid (3.40g, 11.1mmol) in dry THF (50mL). The mixture is heated to reflux 18h, then cooled to ambient temperature and concentrated by means of evaporation.
  • Example 11 Piperidines of formula III where Q is (iii), and R 12 is phenyl and R 13 is a group -CONR 25 R 26
  • Example 12 Piperidines of formula III where Q is (iii), and R 12 is phenyl and R 13 is a group -NR 14 COR 15
  • Example 13 Piperidines of formula III where Q is (iii), and R 12 is phenyl and R 13 is a group -NR 16 COCONR 17 R 18
  • Example 14 Piperidines of formula III where Q is (iii), and R 12 is phenyl and R 13 is a group -NR 22 SO 2 R 23
  • the crude product is purified by silica gel chromatography, eluting with a gradient of ethyl acetate:heptane (0:100) - (50:50).
  • the product is isolated as a Z/E isomer mixture. Yield 630 mg (57%).
  • the isomer mixture (1S,2S)-2-((Z/E)-2-chloro-vinyl)-1-(3,4-dichloro-phenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (4-fluoro-benzyl)-methyl-amide (170 mg, 0.41 mmol) is dissolved in dichloromethane (10 ml).
  • the reaction mixture is then poured onto ice cold water (30 ml) and the layers are separated.
  • the aqueous phase is extracted with ethyl acetate (3 x 30 ml) and the combined organic fractions are washed with brine (sat.), dried (MgSO 4 ), filtered and concentrated in vacuo.
  • the crude product is purified by silica gel chromatography, eluting with a gradient of ethyl acetate:heptane (20:80) - (50:50).
  • the product is isolated as a Z/E isomer mixture. Yield 1.07 g (91%).
  • N-(4-Phenyl-piperidin-4-yl)-acetamide (140 mg, 0.64 mmol) dissolved in ethanol (3 ml) is added to (1S,2S)-1-(3,4-Dichloro-phenyl)-2-((E)-3-oxo-propenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (4-fluoro-benzyl)-methyl-amide dissolved in ethanol (5 ml) followed by dropwise addition of sodium cyanoborohydride (1.0M in THF, 1.97 ml, 1.97 mmol) at 0°C. After complete addition the mixture is kept at ambient temperature for 2 hours.
  • the compounds of the present invention were prepared by one of two general methods:
  • Method B Reacting an amine of formula VI with an acid of formula VIII by the use of an activating reagent or a coupling reagent:
  • the reaction mixture is hydrogenated at a Parr apparatus (ambient temperature, 3 atm. H 2 ) for 3 hours.
  • the solvent is removed by evaporation and the residue is subjected to silica gel chromatography eluting with ethyl acetate:ethanol:triethylamine (95:0:5) - (85:10:5).
  • Evaporation from heptane furnishes the title compound as a white solid. Yield 25 mg (38%).
  • the binding assay is based on previously described methods ( Chung FZ et al: Mol Pharmacol. 1995 48 p711-6 and Sarau HM et al: J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 1997 281 p1303-11 ).
  • Membranes were isolated from baby hamster kidney (BHK) cells stably expressing the human NK1 or NK3 receptors or from Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells stably expressing the human NK2 receptor. 24 hours before harvesting, the BHK cells were treated with trichostatin A (TSA) to increase expression. The cells were washed twice with icecold phosphate-buffered saline without Mg 2+ , Ca 2+ and Sodium bicarbonate (PBS). The cells were scraped of in 10 ml PBS and centrifuged for 3 min at 4°C and 1500 g.
  • TSA trichostatin A
  • the supernatant was discarded, the pellet was washed with 10 ml buffer A and the suspension was centrifuged for 25 min at 4°C and 40000 g. The supernatant was discarded and the pellet was resuspended in 7,5 mM Tris-HCl pH 7,5 containing 12,5 mM MgCl 2 , 0,3 mM EDTA, 1 mM EGTA and 250 nM sucrose, frozen in liquid nitrogen and stored at -80 °C.
  • NK3 binding assay membranes were incubated with 0,1 nM 125 I-eledoisin in 50 mM Tris pH 7.4 buffer containing 3 mM MnCl 2 , 40 ⁇ g/ml bacitracin, 2 ⁇ g/ml chymostatin, 2 ⁇ M phosphoramidon, 4 ⁇ g/ml leupeptin, 0,02% bovine serum albumin (BSA) and selected concentrations of compounds for 60 min at 25 °C.
  • BSA bovine serum albumin
  • the membranes were incubated with 0,1 nM 125 I-substance P or 0,1 nM 125 I-NKA, respectively in 50 mM Tris pH 7.4 buffer containing 3 mM MnCl 2 and 0,02% BSA and selected concentrations of compounds for 60 min at 25 °C.
  • the assay was terminated by rapid filtration through GF/C UniFilters presoaked with 1% BSA (NK3 binding assay) or 0,1% polyethyleneimine (NK1 and NK2 binding assays) using a Tomtec harvester. The filters were washed 3 times with ice-cold 50 mM Tris pH 7,4, dried and added scintillant before counting in a Wallac scintillation counter.
  • K d is the dissociation constant of the radioligand and was determined from saturation binding experiments.
  • the compounds 1a-56a When tested as described above the compounds 1a-56a all had an apparent NK3 affinity (Ki) of less than 50 nM, the compounds 57a-64a all had an apparent NK3 affinity (Ki) of less than 1000 nM; the compounds 65a-85a all had an apparent NK3 affinity (Ki) of less than 200 nM and the compounds 86a-132a all had an apparent NK3 affinity (Ki) of less than 1000 nM.
  • Example 21 The Fluorometric Imaging Plate Reader (FLIPR) assay: The compounds were analysed for efficacy profile in FLIPR assays similar to assays described in Jerman, JC et al: Eur J Pharmacol. 2001, 414, p23-30 .
  • BHK cells cf. Example 20
  • stably expressing the human NK3 receptor were seeded in 100 ⁇ l media in black walled clear-base 96-wells plates (Costar) aiming at a confluency of 95-100% at the day of assay.
  • the assay was performed according to the calcium assay kit (Molecular Devices).
  • the calcium assay reagent was dissolved in Hanks BSS (HBSS) buffer, pH 7,4 containing 20 mM Hepes and 2,5 mM probinicid.
  • An equal volume (100 ⁇ l) of the calcium assay reagent solution was added to the wells and the plates were incubated for 60 min at 37°C. The plates were subsequently placed in the FLIPR for examination of fluorescence.

Abstract

The present invention relates to cyclopropyl derivatives of formula (I) and salt thereof. These compounds are NK3 receptor antagonists and may therefore be useful for treatment of diseases where the NK3 receptor is implicated, e.g. psychotic disorders.

Description

    FIELD OF THE INVENTION
  • The present invention relates to novel compounds which are NK3 receptor antagonists and as such useful for treatment of diseases where the NK3 receptor is implicated.
    • BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  • Three tachykinins, Substance P (SP), neurokinin A (NKA) and neurokinin B (NKB) are widely distributed throughout the peripheral and central nervous systems. The biological effects of these neuropeptides are primary mediated via binding to and subsequent activation of the three neurokinin receptors, NK1, NK2 and NK3. Substance P is considered to be the endogenous ligand for the NK1 receptor and likewise NKA and NKB for the NK2 and NK3 receptors, respectively. However, recent data indicates that there exist cross-reactivity within the tachykinin system, which might be of physiological relevance as both NKA and NKB potently are able to bind and activate the NK1 receptor (for review see Maggi, CA et al: Trends Pharmacol Sci. 1997, 18, p351-5). The three receptor subtypes belong to the G-protein-coupled receptor super family and have been cloned in various species including mice, rats and humans (Nakanishi S: Annu Rev Neurosci. 1991, 14, p123-36).
  • The three tachykinin receptors are expressed both centrally and in the periphery. The NK3 receptor is mainly expressed centrally in regions including cortex, striatum, substantia nigra compacta, ventral tegmental area, hypothalamus, amygdala and hippocampus (Stroessl AJ et al: Brain Res. 1990, 534, p1-7, Koutcherov Y et al: Neuroreport. 2000, 11, p3127-31). In the periphery, the NK3 receptor is expressed in regions including colon, kidney, lungs and the urinary bladder (Regoli D et al: Trends Pharmacol Sci. 1988 Aug;9(8): 290-5, Kamali F: Curr Opin Investig Drugs. 2001 Jul;2(7):950-6). Centrally, the NK3 receptor is expressed on cholinergic (Chen LW et al: Neuroscience. 2001;103(2):413-22), noradrenergic (references within Oury-Donat F et al: J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 1995, 274, p148-54) and dopaminergic neurons (Keegan KD et al: Br. J. Pharmacol. 1992, 105, p3-5). In agreement with these results, activation of the NK3 receptor has been reported to be implicated in the regulation of various monoamine transmitters, e.g. dopamine and acetylcholine (Marco N et al: Neuropeptides. 1998, 32, p481-8, Stoessl AJ et al: Brain Res. 1990, 517, p111-6), al: Brain Res. 1990, 517, p111-6).
  • The NK3 receptor-mediated regulation of monoamine systems supports that the NK3 receptor is involved in diverse functions including memory, learning, cortical processing and behavioral control (Yip J et al: Br J Pharmacol. 1997, 122, p715-25, Ding YQ et al: J Comp Neurol. 1996, 364, p290-310, Mileusnic D et al: Neurobiol Aging. 1999, 20, p19-35) and that it is target for various psychological and neurological disorders (Emonds-Alt X et al: Can J Physiol Pharmacol. 2002, 80, p482-8, Kamali F, Curr Opin Investig Drugs. 2001, 2, p950-6, Langlois X et al: J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 2001, 299, p712-7). Indeed, the NK3 receptor has been reported to be implicated in modulation of anxiety (Ribeiro SJ et al: Neuropeptides. 1999, 33, p181-8).
  • Further, it has been reported that the NK3 receptor antagonist SR142801 has effect against schizophrenia, in particular positive symptoms. SR142801 is described in, e.g., EP 673928 . The structure of SR142801 is outlined below (Kamali F: Curr Opin Investig Drugs. 2001, Jul;2(7):950-6).
    Figure imgb0001
  • In vivo, NK3 receptor activation centrally has been reported to mediate hypertension and tachycardia (Nagashima A et al: Brain Res. 487, 1989, p392-396, Takano Y et al: Brain Res. 1990, 528, p231-7, Picard P et al: Br J Pharmacol. 1994, 112, p240-9) whereas NK3 receptor activation in the periphery mediates hypotension and bradycardia (Couture R et al: Naunyn Schmiedebergs Arch Pharmacol. 1989, 340, p547-57). Additional in vivo studies have indicated that NK3 receptor activation decrease water, salt and alcohol intake (Massi M et al: Brain Res Bull. 1991 26 p155-60, Massi M et al: Neurosci Lett. 1988, 92, p341-6 and Ciccocioppo R et al: Brain Res Bull. 1994, 33, p71-7) which together with the localization of the NK3 receptor on MCH neurons support a role of the NK3 receptor in the regulation of food intake (Griffond B et al: J Chem Neuroanat. 1997, 12, p183-9). Further in vivo studies have shown that the NK3 receptor is implicated in renal control of water and electrolyte homeostasis (Yuan YD: Br J Pharmacol. 1997, 120, p785-96). Activation of the NK3 receptor has been reported to inhibit gastric acid secretion (Improta G et al: Peptides. 1991, 12, p1433-4), induce oral dyskinesia (Liminga U et al: Pharmacol Biochem Behav. 1991, 38, p617-20) and oedema (Inoue H et al: Inflamm Res. 1996, 45, p316-23).
  • In vitro NK3 activation has been reported to have proconvulsive effect (Maubach KA et al: Neuroscience. 1998, 83, p1047-62) and to mediate hyperexcitability in ischemic injury (Stumm R et al: J Neurosci. 2001, 21, p798-811).
  • Selective high affinity non-peptide NK3 receptor antagonists have been shown to be antinociceptic (Fioramonti J et al: Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2003, 15, p363-9, Couture R et al: Life Sci. 2000, 66, p51-65, Julia V et al: Gastroenterology. 1999, 116, p1124-31, Coudore-Civiale MA: European Journal of Pharmacology 1998, 361, p175-184) and analgesic(Houghton AK et al: Neuropharmacology. 2000, 39, p133-40). In addition, studies demonstrate consistent effect of a NK3 receptor antagonist against visceral pain encouragingly precluding constipation (Mayer EA et al: Gastroenterology. 1999, 116, p1250-2, Julia V et al: Gastroenterology. 1999 116 p1124-31). Similarly inhibition of the NK3 receptor is stated to prevent gut inflammation highlighting effect against inflammatory bowel disease (Mazelin L et al: Life Sci. 1998, 63, p293-304), cough, airway hyperresponsiveness, microvascular hypersensitivity and reduction of bronchoconstriction (Daoui S et al: Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 1998, 158, p42-8 , Rumsey WL et al: J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 2001, 298, p307-15, Daoui S et al: Pulm Pharmacol Ther. 1997 10 p261-70). Inhibition of the NK3 receptor as therapeutic strategy for Parkinsons disease has been substantiated in several reports (Arenas E: J Neurosci. 1991, 11, p2332-8, Kemel ML et al: J Neurosci. 2002, 22, p1929-36).
  • Accordingly, pre-clinical, in vivo and in vitro studies support that NK3 receptor antagonists are of relevance for the treatment or prevention of various disorders including: schizophrenia, depression, anxiety, Parkinson's disease, pain, convulsions, cough, asthma, airway hyperresponsiveness, microvascular hypersensitivity, bronchoconstriction, gut inflammation, inflammatory bowel disease, hypertension, imbalances in water and electrolyte homeostasis, ischemia, oedema and plasma extravasation.
  • Hence, there is a desire for NK3 receptor antagonists. The present inventors have now found such compounds with a strong affinity for the NK3 receptor.
  • Several patent applications relate to compounds disclosed as NK receptor antagonist, e.g. EP 474561 , EP 512901 and WO 03/051869 . In particular, some patent applications relate to compounds disclosed as NK3 receptor antagonist, e.g. WO 9710211 , US 5434158 and EP 673928 . US 5750549 disclose cyclopentane derivatives as NK1 receptor antagonist.
  • The compounds of the present invention are all cyclopropyl derivates. As described in the following, some patent applications relate to different cyclopropane derivatives. However, none of these patent applications relates to the NK3 receptor or others of the NK receptors.
  • JP 03056415 describes cyclopropane derivatives of the following formula
    Figure imgb0002
     for treatment of cerebral ischemia.
  • EP 68999 describes cyclopropane derivatives of the following formula
    Figure imgb0003
     for treatment of depression.
  • Bonnand B. et al. J. Med. Chem. 1987,30,318-325 describes Cyclopropanecarboxylic acid derivatives as potential antidepressants.
    • SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
  • The objective of the present invention is to provide compounds that are antagonists at the NK3 receptor. Some of the compounds may also have affinity for the NK1 and/or NK2 receptor.
  • Accordingly, in one aspect the present invention relates to a compound having the general formula I:
    Figure imgb0004
     wherein the substituents are as defined herein, or a salt thereof, in particular a pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt thereof. The invention in particular provides the (1S,2R)-isomer of such compounds.
  • Moreover, the invention provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of formula I as defined herein or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. Accordingly, the invention provides a compound of formula I as defined herein or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof for use in medicine.
  • The invention also provides the use of a compound of formula I as defined herein or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof for the preparation of a medicament for the treatment of diseases selected from the group consisting of: schizophrenia, psychotic disorders, depression, anxiety, Parkinson's disease, pain, convulsions, cough, asthma, airway hyperresponsiveness, microvascular hypersensitivity, bronchoconstriction, gut inflammation, inflammatory bowel disease, hypertension, imbalances in water and electrolyte homeostasis, ischemia, oedema and plasma extravasation.
    • DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Definitions
  • The term "halogen" means fluoro, chloro, bromo or iodo.
  • The expression "C1-6-alk(en/yn)yl" means a C1-6-alkyl, a C2-6-alkenyl or a C2-6-alkynyl group.
  • The term "C1-6 alkyl" refers to a branched or unbranched alkyl group having from one to six carbon atoms inclusive, including but not limited to methyl, ethyl, 1-propyl, 2-propyl, 1-butyl, 2-butyl, 2-methyl-2-propyl and 2-methyl-1-propyl.
  • The term "C2-6 alkenyl" designates such groups having from two to six carbon atoms, including one double bond, including but not limited to ethenyl, propenyl, and butenyl.
  • The term "C2-6 alkynyl" designates such groups having from two to six carbon atoms, including one triple bond, including but not limited to ethynyl, propynyl and butynyl.
  • The expression "C3-8-cycloalk(en)yl" means a C3-8-cycloalkyl or a C3-8-cycloalkenyl group.
  • The term "C3-8-cycloalkyl" designates a monocyclic or bicyclic carbocycle having three to eight C-atoms, including but not limited to cyclopropyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, etc.
  • The term "C3-8-cycloalkenyl" designates a monocyclic or bicyclic carbocycle having three to eight C-atoms and one double bond, including but not limited to cyclopropenyl, cyclopentenyl, cyclohexenyl, etc.
  • In the expression "C3-8-cycloalk(en)yl-C1-6-alk(en/yn)yl", the terms "C3-8-cycloalk(en)yl" and "C1-6alk(en/yn)yl" are as defined above.
  • The term "C1-6-alk(en/yn)yloxy" refers to groups of the formula C1-6-alk(en/yn)yl-O-, wherein C1-6-alk(en/yn)yl is as defmed above.
  • The terms "C1-6-alk(en/yn)yl-carbonyl", "C1-6-alk(en/yn)yl-aminocarbonyl" and "di-(C1-6-alkyl)aminocarbonyl" refer to groups of formula C1-6-alk(en/yn)yl-CO-, C1-6-alk(en/yn)yl-NH-CO- and (C1-6-alk(en/yn)yl)2-N-CO-, respectively, wherein C1-6-alk(en/yn)yl is as defmed above.
  • In the expressions "C1-6-alk(en/yn)yl-amino", "di-(C1-6-alkyl)amino", "C1-6-alk(en/yn)ylthio", "halo-C1-6-alk(en/yn)yl", "halo-C1-6-alk(en/yn)yl-sulfonyl", "halo-C1-6-alk(en/yn)yl-sulfanyl", "C1-6-alk(enlyn)ylsulfonyl", and "C1-6-alk(enlyn)ylsulfanyl" etc., the terms "C1-6-alk(enlyn)yl" and "halo" are as defined above.
  • As used herein, the term "acryl" refers to formyl, C1-6-alk(en/yn)ylcarbonyl, arylcarbonyl, aryl-C1-6-alk(en/yn)ylcarbonyl, C3-8-cycloalk(en)ylcarbonyl or a C3-8-cycloalk(en)yl-C1-6-alk(en/yn)yl-carbonyl group, wherein C1-6-alk(en/yn) and C3-8-cycloalk(en)yl are as defined above and aryl is as defined below.
  • The term "thioacyl" is the corresponding acyl group, in which the carbonyl group is replaced with a thiocarbonyl group.
  • The term "aryl" refers to a carbocyclic aromatic group, such as phenyl or naphthyl, in particular phenyl and includes both substituted or unsubstituted carbocyclic aromatic groups. Thus, the aryl is optionally substituted with one or more substituents selected from the substituent list as defined below. Accordingly, the term aryl as used herein means an optionally substituted carbocyclic aromatic group, e.g. phenyl or naphthyl, such that said aromatic group is substituted with one or more substituents selected from the substituent list defined below, e.g., C1-6-alkyl or halogen. The aryl is preferably mono- or bicyclic.
  • The term "heteroaryl" refers to an aromatic group containing at least one carbon atom and one or more heteroatoms selected from O, S or N. As used herein the term "heteroaryl" refers to a mono- or bicyclic heterocyclic group including but not limited to indolyl, thienyl, pyrimidyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, thiazolyl, isothiazolyl, imidazolyl, benzofuranyl, benzothienyl, pyridyl and furanyl, in particular pyrimidyl, indolyl, and thienyl. The term heteroaryl as used herein includes both substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl. Thus, the heteroaryl is optionally substituted with one or more substituents selected from the substituent list as defined below, e.g., C1-6-alkyl or halogen.
  • The term "monocyclic heteroaryl" as used herein refers to 5- to 6- membered aromatic systems containing 1 to 5 carbon atoms and one or more heteroatoms selected from O, S or N.
  • Accordingly, the term "heteroaryl" refers to 5-membered monocyclic rings such as, but not limited to, 1H-tetrazolyl, 3H-1,2,3-oxathiazolyl, 3H-1,2,4-oxathiazolyl, 3H-1,2,5-oxathiazolyl, 1,3,2-oxathiazolyl, 1,3,4-oxathiazolyl, 1,4,2-oxathiazolyl, 3H-1,2,4-dioxazolyl, 1,3,2-dioxazolyl, 1,4,2-dioxazolyl, 3H-1,2,3-dithiazolyl, 3H-1,2,4-dithiazolyl, 1,3,2-dithiazolyl, 1,4,2-dithiazolyl, 1,2,3-oxadiazolyl, 1,2,4-oxadiazolyl, 1,2,5-oxadiazolyl, 1,3,4-oxadiazolyl, 1,2,3-thiadiazolyl, 1,2,4-thiadiazolyl, 1,2,5-thiadiazolyl, 1,3,4-thiadiazotyl, 1H-1,2,3-triazolyl, 1H-1,2,4-triazolyl, isoxazolyl, oxazolyl, isothiazolyl, thiazolyl, 1H-imidazolyl, 1H-pyrazolyl, 1H-pyrrolyl, furanyl, thienyl, 1H-pentazole.
  • Further, the term "heteroaryl" refers to 6-membered monocyclic rings such as, but not limited to, 1,2,3-oxathiazinyl, 1,2,4-oxathiazinyl, 1,2,5-oxathiazinyl, 4H-1,3,5-oxathiazinyl, 1,4,2-oxathiazinyl, 1,4,3-oxathiazinyl, 1,2,3-dioxazinyl, 1,2,4-dioxazinyl, 4H-1,3,2-dioxazinyl, 4H-1,3,5-dioxazinyl, 1,4,2-dioxazinyl, 2H-1,5,2-dioxazinyl, 1,2,3-dithiazinyl, 1,2,4-dithiazinyl, 4H-1,3,2-dithiazinyl, 4H-1,3,5-dithiazinyl, 1,4,2-dithiazinyl, 2H-1,5,2-dithiazinyl; 2H-1,2,3-oxadiazinyl, 2H-1,2,4-oxadiazinyl, 2H-1,2,5-oxadiazinyl, 2H-1,2,6-oxadiazinyl, 2H-1,3,4-oxadiazinyl, 2H-1,3,5-oxadiazinyl, 2H-1,2,3-thiadiazinyl, 2H-1,2,4-thiadiazinyl, 2H-1,2,5-thiadiazinyl, 2H-1,2,6-thiadiazinyl, 2H-1,3,4-thiadiazinyl, 2H-1,3,5-thiadiazinyl, 1,2,3-triazinyl, 1,2,4-triazinyl, 1,3,5-triazinyl, 2H-1,2-oxazinyl, 2H-1,3-oxazinyl, 2H-1,4-oxazinyl, 2H-1,2-thiazinyl, 2H-1,3-thiazinyl, 2H-1,4-thiazinyl, pyrazinyl, pyridazinyl, pyrimidyl, pyridyl, 2H-pyranyl, 2H-thiinyl.
  • Finally the term "heteroaryl" also refers to bicyclic rings such as, but not limited to, 3H-1,2,3-benzoxathiazolyl, 1,3,2-benzodioxazolyl, 3H-1,2,3-benzodithiazolyl, 1,3,2-benzodithiazolyl, benzfurazanyl, 1,2,3-benzoxadiazolyl, 1,2,3-benzothiadiazolyl, 2,1,3-benzothiadiazolyl, 1H-benzotriazolyl, 1,2-benzisoxazolyl, 2,1-benzisoxazolyl, benzoxazolyl, 1,2-benzisothiazolyl, 2,1-benzisothiazolyl, benzothiazolyl, 1H-benzimidazolyl, 1H-indazolyl, 3H-1,2-benzoxathiolyl, 1,3-benzoxathiolyl, 3H-2,1-benzoxathiolyl, 3H-1,2-benzodioxolyl, 1,3-benzodioxolyl 3H-1,2-benzodithiolyl, 1,3-benzodithiolyl, 1H-indolyl, 2H-isoindolyl, benzofuranyl, isobenzofuranyl, 1-benzothienyl, 2-benzothienyl, 1H-2,1-benzoxazinyl, 1H-2,3-benzoxazinyl, 2H-1,2-benzoxazinyl, 2H.-1,3-benzoxazinyl, , 2H-1,4-benzoxazinyl, 2H-3,1-benzoxazinyl, 1H-2,1-benzothiazinyl, 1H-2,3-benzothiazinyl, 2H-1,2-benzothiazinyl, 2H-1,3-benzothiazinyl, 2H-1,4-benzothiazinyl, 2H-3,1-benzothiazinyl, cinnolinyl, phtalazinyl, quinazolinyl, quinoxalinyl, isoquinolyl, quinolyl, 1H-2-benzopyranyl, 2H-1-benzopyranyl, 1H-2-benzothiopyranyl or 2H-1-benzothiopyranyl.
  • The expression "substituent list" means substituents selected from the group consisting of: halogen, cyano, nitro, C1-6-alkyl (e.g methyl), C1-6-alkylamino, di-(C1-6-alkyl)amino, C1-6-alkylcarbonyl, aminocarbonyl, C1-6-alkylaminocarbonyl, di-(C1-6-alkyl)aminocarbonyl, C1-6-alkoxy, C1-6-alkylthio, alkylsulphonyl, hydroxy, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethylsulfonyl, C1-6-alkylcarbonylamino and C1-6-alkylcarbonylC1-6-alkylamino.
  • The term "treatment" as used herein in connection with a disease or disorders includes also prevention as the case may be.
    • Compounds of the invention and salts thereof
  • The present invention relates to compounds of formula I which are antagonists at the NK3 receptor. These products may therefore be useful in the treatment of certain diseases such as, e.g., schizophrenia, psychotic disorders, depression, anxiety, or Parkinson's disease.
  • In one aspect, the invention relates to compounds of formula I,
    Figure imgb0005
     or a salt thereof, such as a pharmaceutically acceptable salt;
    wherein
    • R1-R5 are independently selected from hydrogen, halogen, cyano, nitro, C1-6-alk(en/yn)yl (e.g C1-6-alkyl, C2-6-alkenyl, or C2-6-alkynyl; such as methyl), C3-8-cycloalk(en)yl (e.g. C3-8-cycloalkyl), C3-8-cycloalk(en)yl-C1-6-alk(en/yn)yl (e.g. C3-8-cycloalkyl-C1-6-alkyl), amino, C1-6-alk(en/yn)ylamino (e.g. C1-6-alkylamino), di-(C1-6-alk(en/yn)yl)amino (.e.g. di-(C1-6-alkyl)amino), C1-6-alk(en/yn)ylcarbonyl (e.g C1-6-alkylcarbonyl), aminocarbonyl, C1-6-alk(en/yn)ylaminocarbonyl (e.g. C1-6-alkylaminocarbonyl), di-(C1-6-alk(en)yl)aminocarbonyl (e.g. di-(C1-6-alkyl)aminocarbonyl)), hydroxy, C1-6-alk(en/yn)yloxy (e.g. C1-6-alkoxy; such as methoxy), C1-6-alk(en/yn)ylthio (e.g. C1-6-alkylthio, such as methylthio), halo-C1-6-alk(en/yn)yl (e.g, halo-C1-6-alkyl, such as trifluoromethyl), halo-C1-6-alk(en/yn)ylsulfonyl (e.g trifluoromethylsulfonyl), halo-C1-6-alk(en/yn)ylsulfanyl (.e.g trifluoromethylsulfanyl)), and C1-6-alk(en/yn)ylsulfonyl (e.g. C1-6-alkylsulfonyl);
    • R6 is selected from hydrogen, halo-C1-6-alk(en/yn)yl (e.g. trifluoromethyl), C1-6-alk(en/yn)yl (e.g. C1-6-alkyl, such as methyl, C2-6-alkenyl, or C2-6-alkynyl), C3-8-cycloalk(en)yl (e.g. C3-8-cycloalkyl), and C3-8-cycloalk(en)yl-C1-6-alk(en/yn)yl (e.g. C3-8-cycloalkyl-C1-6-alkyl);
    • R7 is an aryl or a heteroaryl; or R7 is a group aryl-CR8R9-, wherein R8 and R9 are independently selected from hydrogen, C1-6-alk(en/yn)yl ( e.g. C1-6-alkyl, C2-6-alkenyl, or C2-6-alkynyl; such as methyl), C3-8-cycloalk(en)yl (e.g. C3-8-cycloalkyl), and C3-8-cycloalk(en)yl-C1-6-alk(en/yn)yl (e.g. C3-8-cycloalkyl-C1-6-alkyl);
    • n is 0, 1, or 2;
  • Q is selected from (i)-(iii), the arrow indicating the attachment point:
    Figure imgb0006
     ; wherein R10 is an optionally substituted aryl; wherein R11 is selected from an optionally substituted aryl or optionally substituted benzyl, halo-C1-6-alk(en/yn)ylsulfonyl (e.g. trifluoromethylsulfonyl), C1-6-alk(en/yn)ylsulfonyl (e.g. C1-6-alkylsulfonyl), arylsulphonyl, arylacyl, C1-6-alk(en/yn)ylcarbonyl (e.g. C1-6-alkylcarbonyl), aminocarbonyl, C1-6-alk(en/yn)ylaminocarbonyl (e.g. C1-6-alkylaminocarbonyl), and di-(C1-6-alk(en)yl)aminocarbonyl (e.g. di-(C1-6-alkyl)aminocarbonyl); wherein R12 is an optionally substituted aryl; wherein R13 is hydrogen, hydroxy, cyano, or amino, or one of the following groups:
    • NHC1-6-alk(en/yn)yl (e.g. -NHC1-6-alkyl, -NHC2-6-alkenyl, or -NHC2-6-alkynyl; such as methyl);
    • N(C1-6-alk(en/yn)yl)2 (e. g -N(C1-6-alkyl)2);
    • NR14COR15, wherein R14 is hydrogen or C1-6-alk(en/yn)yl and R15 is C1-6-alk(en/yn)yl or C3-8-cycloalk(en)yl;
    • NR16COCONR17R18, wherein R16 is hydrogen or C1-6-alk(en/yn)yl and R17 and R18 are selected independently from hydrogen and C1-6-alk(en/yn)yl (e.g. C1-6-alkyl) or C3-8-cycloalkyl; or R17 and R18 together with the nitrogen to which they are attached form a piperidinyl, piperazinyl or morpholinyl, wherein said piperidinyl, piperazinyl and morpholinyl are optionally substituted (i.e. unsubstituted or substituted) with a C1-6-alk(en/yn)yl.
    • NR19CONR20R21, wherein R19 is hydrogen or C1-6-alk(en/yn)yl and R20 and R21 are selected independently from hydrogen and C1-6-alk(en/yn)yl or C3-8-cycloalkyl; or R20 and R21 together with the nitrogen to which they are attached form a piperidinyl, piperazinyl or morpholinyl, wherein said piperidinyl, piperazinyl and morpholinyl are optionally substituted (i.e. unsubstituted or substituted) with a C1-6-alk(en/yn)yl;
    • NR22SO2R23, wherein R22 is hydrogen or C1-6-alk(en/yn)yl or C3-8-cycloalkyl and R23 is amino, C1-6-alk(en/yn)yl or C3-8-cycloalkyl;
    • COR24, wherein R24 is C1-6-alk(en/yn)yl or C3-8-cycloalkyl;
    • CONR25R26, wherein R25 and R26 independently are selected from hydrogen, C1-6-alk(en/yn)yl and C3-8-cycloalkyl, or R25 and R26 together with the nitrogen to which they are attached form a piperidinyl, piperazinyl or morpholinyl, wherein said piperidinyl, piperazinyl and morpholinyl are optionally substituted (i.e. unsubstituted or substituted) with a C1-6-alk(en/yn)yl, in particular C1-6-alkyl;
    • NHCOOR42, wherein R42 is C1-6-alk(en/yn)yl or C3-8-cycloalk(en)yl;
      wherein aryl and heteroaryl when substituted is substituted with one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of halogen, cyano, nitro, C1-6-alkyl (e.g methyl), C1-6-alkylamino, di-(C1-6-alkyl)amino, C1-6-alkylcarbonyl, aminocarbonyl, C1-6-alkylaminocarbonyl, di-(C1-6-alkyl)aminocarbonyl, C1-6-alkoxy, C1-6-alkylthio, alkylsulphonyl, hydroxy, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethylsulfonyl, C1-6-alkylcarbonylamino and C1-6-alkylcarbonylC1-6-alkylamino.
  • To further illustrate the invention, without limitation, the following embodiments of R1-R5 are within the scope of the invention, in particular for the compounds or salt thereof: R1-R5 are independently selected from hydrogen, halogen, cyano, C1-6-alkyl, C3-8-cycloalkyl, C3-8-cycloalkyl-C1-6-alkyl, C1-6-alkyloxy, C1-6-alkylthio, and trifluoromethyl; R1-R5 are independently selected from a hydrogen and C1-6-alkyl; R1-R5 are independently selected from hydrogen, Cl, F, cyano, methyl, methoxy, methylthio, and trifluoromethyl; R1-R5 are hydrogen; R1-R5 are independently selected from hydrogen and halogen; R1-R5 are independently selected from hydrogen, chloro and fluoro; R1-R5 are independently selected from hydrogen and chloro; R1-R5 are independently selected from hydrogen and fluoro; R2 is chloro and R3 is hydrogen, R2 and R3 are chloro, R2 is fluoro and R3 is hydrogen, or R2 and R3 is fluoro, where the rest of R1-R5 may, e.g., be hydrogen or they may also be substituted from the list above; at least one R1-R5 is F or Cl, such as a compound of the invention for which R3 is F or Cl; R1-R5 is selected independently from H and cyano; R1-R5 are selected independently from H and C1-6-alk(en/yn)yl; R1-R5 are selected independently from H and C1-6-alkyl, such as methyl or ethyl; R1-R5 are selected independently from H and C1-6-alk(en/yn)yloxy, preferably C1-6-alkoxy, such as methoxy; R1-R5 are selected independently from H and C1-6-alkylthio, such as methylthio; R1-R5 are selected independently from H and trifluoromethyl; at least 3 of R1-R5 are hydrogen, such as 3, 4 or all of R1-R5 are hydrogen; 1 of R1-R5 is substituted, such as in the positions R2 or R3, e.g. with a halogen (e.g. F or Cl), C1-6-alkyl (e.g. methyl), C1-6-alkoxy (e.g. methoxy) while the rest of R1-R5 being hydrogen; 2 of R1-R5 sre substituted, e.g. in the positions R2 and R3, e.g. selected independently from the group consisting of a halogen (e.g. F or Cl), C1-6-alkyl (e.g. methyl), C1-6-alkoxy (e.g. methoxy) while the rest of R1-R5 being hydrogen.
  • To further illustrate the invention, without limitation, the following embodiments of R6 are within the scope of the invention, in particular for the compounds or salt thereof: R6 is selected from hydrogen, halo-C1-6-alkyl, C1-6-alkyl, C3-8-cycloalkyl, and C3-8-cycloalkyl-C1- 6-alkyl; R6 is selected from hydrogen and C1-6-alk(en/yn)yl; R6 is hydrogen; R6 is a C1-6-alkyl; R6 is methyl; R6 is ethyl.
  • When R7 is aryl or heteroaryl, it is understood that the aryl and heteroaryl are as defined herein and may be selected among these.
  • The invention in one aspect, relates to compounds of Formula (I) wherein R7 is an aryl as defined herein. To further illustrate the invention, without limitation, the following embodiments of R7, for which R7 is an aryl, are within the scope of the invention, in particular for the compounds or salt thereof: R7 is an unsubstituted phenyl; R7 is phenyl substituted with one or more substituents, e.g. mono or disubstituted, selected independently from the substituent list as defined herein, including, e.g., halogen and C1-6-alkyl; R7 is an unsubstituted phenyl and R6 is hydrogen; R7 is an unsubstituted phenyl and R6 is methyl.
  • To further illustrate the invention, without limitation, the following embodiments of R7, for which R7 is a group aryl-CR8R9-, are within the scope of the invention, in particular for the compounds or salt thereof: R8 and R9 are independently selected from hydrogen, C1-6-alkyl, C3-8-cycloalkyl and C3-8-cycloalkyl-C1-6-alkyl; R8 and R9 are independently selected from hydrogen and C1-6-alkyl; R8 and R9 are independently selected from hydrogen and methyl; R8 and R9 are hydrogen; R8 is hydrogen and R9 is methyl; R8 and R9 are methyl.
  • It is understood that for R7 being "aryl-CR8R9", the aryl of aryl-CR8R9- is as defined herein, i.e. it may, e.g., have one or more of the following characteristic: the aryl is monocyclic or bicyclic; the aryl is unsubstituted; the aryl is phenyl; the aryl is naphthalene, the aryl is substituted with one or more substituents, preferably selected from the group consisting of halogen, cyano, nitro, C1-6-alkyl, C1-6-alkylamino, di-(C1-6-alkyl)amino, C1-6-alkylcarbonyl, aminocarbonyl, C1-6-alkylaminocarbonyl, di-(C1-6-alkyl)aminocarbonyl, C1-6-alkylcarbonylamino, C1-6-alkylcarbonyl C1-6-alkylamino, C1-6-alkoxy (e.g. methoxy), C1-6-alkylthio, hydroxy, trifluoromethyland trifluoromethylsulfonyl; the aryl, e.g. phenyl, is an optionally substituted phenyl; the aryl, e.g. phenyl, is mono- or poly-substituted, e.g. di-substituted, e.g. with a halogen, such as fluoro or chloro, and/or e.g. with a C1-6-alkoxy (e.g. methoxy).
  • In a preferred embodiment, R7 is an aryl-CR8R9- selected from benzyl or substituted benzyl, e.g. halogen substituted benzyl, e.g. 4-halo benzyl, such as 4-fluorobenzyl, or 2-halo-benzyl, such as 2-chloro-benzyl, or 3,4-dichloro-benzylamide, 3,4-dimethoxy-benzylamide methyl-1-phenyl-ethyl, methyl-1-(4-methoxyphenyl)-ethyl, or naphthalen-1-ylmethyl.
  • Further embodiments of the invention relates to compounds of formula I wherein R6 is hydrogen or methyl.
  • Further aspects of the invention relate to compounds of formula I wherein Q is (i). One aspect of the invention relates to embodiments of the invention where Q is (i) and the aryl of R10 is selected from the aryls as defined herein.
  • In further embodiments, the invention relates to a compound or salt of the invention wherein Q is (ii). Preferably R11 is selected from an optionally substituted (i.e. substituted or not) aryl or optionally substituted (i.e. substituted or not) benzyl, trifluoromethylsulfonyl, C1-6-alkylsulfonyl, arylsulphonyl, arylacyl, C1-6-alkylcarbonyl, aminocarbonyl, C1-6-alkylaminocarbonyl and di-(C1-6-alkyl)aminocarbonyl), wherein said aryl is selected from the aryls as defined herein. The benzyl may be substituted with one ore more substituent selected from the substituent list as defined herein.
  • In further embodiments, the invention relates to a compound or salt of the invention wherein Q is (iii).
  • To further illustrate the invention, without limitation, the following embodiments of R12 are within the scope of the invention, in particular for the compounds or salt thereof: R12 is an aryl as defined herein; R12 is unsubstituted phenyl; R12 is a phenyl substituted with one or more substituents, e.g. mono or di-substituted, preferably selected from the substituent list as defined herein; the aryl, e.g. phenyl, in R12 is substituted with one or more, e.g. one or two substituents selected from a halogen and trifluoromehtyl; the aryl, e.g. phenyl, in R12 is substituted with at least one chloro or at least one fluoro and at least one trifluoromethyl; the aryl, e.g. phenyl, in R12 is substituted with one Cl and one trifluoromehtyl; R12 is 4-chloro-3-trifluromethyl-phenyl.
  • The following embodiments of the compound of the invention for which Q is (iii) are also within the scope of the invention: R12 is an aryl substituted with one or more substituents selected from a halogen and aminoacyl and R13 is hydrogen; R12 is phenyl substituted with one or more substituents, e.g. mono or di-substituted, selected from a halogen and aminoacyl and R13 is hydrogen.
  • In one embodiment when Q is (iii) the group R13 is hydroxy. In a preferred embodiment R12 is 4-chloro-3-trifluromethyl-phenyl and R13 is hydroxy.
  • In further embodiments of (iii) the R13 is -NR14COR15, where R14 and R15 are as defined herein. To further illustrate the invention, without limitation, the following embodiments of R13 are within the scope of the invention, in particular for the compounds or salt thereof: R14 is hydrogen; R14 is methyl; R15 is methyl; R14 is hydrogen or C1-6-alkyl and R15 is C1-6-alkyl or C3-8-cycloalkyl; R14 is H or CH3; R15 is CH3; R14 is hydrogen and R15 is methyl; R14 and R15 are methyl.
  • In further embodiments of (iii), the R13 is -NR16COCONR17R18, wherein R16, R17 and R18 is as defined herein. To further illustrate the invention, without limitation, the following embodiments of R13 are also within the scope of the invention, in particular for the compounds or salt thereof: R16 is hydrogen or C1-6-alkyl and wherein R17 and R18 are selected independently from hydrogen, C1-6-alkyl and C3-8-cycloakl; R16 is hydrogen or C1-6-alkyl and where R17 and R18 together with the nitrogen to which they are attached form a piperidinyl, piperazinyl or morpholinyl, where said piperidinyl, piperazinyl and morpholinyl are optionally substituted with a C1-6-alkyl, e.g. methyl; R16, R17 and R18 are hydrogen(i.e. oxalamide, -NHCOCONH2); R16 is C1-6-alkyl, and R17 and R18 are hydrogen (i.e. N-C1-6-alkyl oxalamide); R16 and R17 are hydrogen and R18 is C1-6-alkyl (i.e. N'-C1-6-alkyl-N-oxalamide); R16 and R17 are C1-6-alkyl and R18 is hydrogen (i.e. N'-C1-6-alkyl-N- C1-6-alkyl oxalamide); R16 is hydrogen and R17 and R18 are C1-6-alkyl, e.g. methyl, (i.e. N;N'-di-(C1-6-alkyl)-N-oxalamide); R16 is hydrogen and R17 and R18 are methyl; R16, R17 and R17 are C1-6-alkyl (i.e. N',N'-di-(C1-6-alkyl)-N-C1-6-alkyl oxalamide).
  • In further embodiments of (iii) the R13 is -NR19CONR20R21, wherein R19, R20 and R21 are as defined herein. To further illustrate the invention, without limitation, the following embodiments of R13 are also within the scope of the invention, in particular for the compounds or salt thereof: R19, R20 and R21 are independently selected from hydrogen, C1-6-alkyl and C3-8-cycloalkyl; R19, R20 and R21 are independently selected from hydrogen and C1-6-alkyl; R19, R20 and R21 are hydrogen; R19 is a C1-6-alkyl and R20 and R21 are hydrogen; R19 and R20 are hydrogen and R21 is a C1-6-alkyl; R19 and R20 are independently selected from a C1-6-alkyl and R21 is H; R19 is H, and R20 and R21 are independently selected from a C1-6-alkyl; or R19, R20 and R21 are independently selected from a C1-6-alkyl; R19 is H and R20 and R21 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, Me, Et, Bu, and i-Pr.
  • In further embodiments of (iii) the R13 is -NR22SO2R23, wherein R22 and R23 are as defined herein. To further illustrate the invention, without limitation, the following embodiments of R13 are also within the scope of the invention, in particular for the compounds or salt thereof: R22 is hydrogen or a C1-6-alkyl or C3-8-cycloalkyl and R23 is amino, C1-6-alkyl or C3-8-cycloalkyl; R22 is hydrogen and R23 is a C1-6-alkyl, e.g. methyl (i.e. N-(C1-6-alkylsulphonamide) or R22 and R23 are independently selected from a C1-6-alkyl, e.g. methyl i.e. N-C1-6-alkyl (C1-6-alkylsulphonamide); R22 is hydrogen; R23 is methyl; R22 and R23 are methyl; R22 is hydrogen and R23 is methyl.
  • In further embodiments of (iii) the R13 is -COR24, wherein R24 is as defined herein. The following embodiments of R13 are also within the scope of the invention without limitation, in particular for the compounds or salt thereof: R24 is a C1-6-alkyl; R24 is methyl.
  • In further embodiments of (iii) the R13 is -CONR25R26, wherein R25 and R26 are as defined herein. To further illustrate the invention, without limitation, the following embodiments of R13 are also within the scope of the invention, in particular for the compounds or salt thereof: R25 and R26 are independently selected from hydrogen, C1-6-alkyl and C3-8-cycloalkyl; R25 and R26 are independently selected from hydrogen and methyl; R25 and R26 are hydrogen; R25 and R26 are methyl; R25 is methyl and R26 is hydrogen; R25 and R26 together with the nitrogen to which they are attached form a piperidinyl, piperazinyl or morpholinyl, wherein said piperidinyl, piperazinyl and morpholinyl are optionally substituted witch a C1-6-alkyl, in a preferred embodiment the piperidinyl, piperazinyl and morpholinyl are not substituted; R25 and R26 together with the nitrogen to which they are attached form a piperidinyl, wherein the piperidinyl is optionally substituted with a C1-6-alkyl, however preferably the piperidinyl is unsubstituted.
  • The compounds of the present invention may have one or more asymmetric centers and it is intended that any optical isomers (i.e. enantiomers or diastereomers), as separated, pure or partially purified optical isomers and any mixtures thereof including racemic mixtures, i.e. a mixture of stereoisomeres, are included within the scope of the invention.
  • The compounds of the general formula I exist as optical isomers thereof and such optical isomers are also embraced by the invention. In particular, the compounds of the invention possessing the absolute stereochemistry (1S,2R) are within the invention, either as enantiomers or as mixtures containing compounds of the invention possessing the absolute stereochemistry (1S,2R).
  • Accordingly, an important aspect of the invention is a compound or salt of the invention as described herein, wherein the compound of formula I is the (1S,2R)-isomer i.e. the compound with absolute configuration as shown in formula IA.
    Figure imgb0007
  • The compound of the invention of formula I or the salt thereof may be part of a racemic mixtures comprising the (1S,2R)-isomer, i.e. the compound shown in formula IA or it may be present as the enantiomer, i.e. without the 3 others stereoisomers.
  • The invention in further embodiment relates to a compound of formula I which compound is the (1R,2R)-isomer.
  • The invention in further embodiment relates to a compound of formula I which compound is the (1R,2S)-isomer.
  • The invention in further embodiment relates to a compound of formula I which compound is the (1S,2S)-isomer.
  • In this context is understood that when specifying the enantiomeric form, then the compound is in a preferred embodiment in enantiomeric excess.
  • Accordingly, one embodiment of the invention relates to a compound of the invention having an enantiomeric excess of at least 60% (60% enantiomeric excess means that the ratio of Va to its enantiomer is 80:20 in the mixture in question), at least 70%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 96%, preferably at least 98%.
  • The expression "mixture of stereoisomeres comprising the (1S,2R)-isomer of formula 1" implies that in further embodiments, the compound of the invention, i.e. product, may be any one of the following mixture of stereoisomeres: a (1S,2R)-isomer and a (1R,2R)-isomer of formula 1; a (1S,2R)-isomer and a (1R,2S)-isomer of formula 1; a (1S,2R)-isomer and a (1S,2R)-isomer of formula 1; a (1S,2R)-isomer and a (1S,2S)-isomer of formula 1; a (1S,2R)-isomer and a (1R,2R)-isomer of formula 1, i.e. consisting of 2, 3 or 4 of the corresponding stereoisomers.
  • Racemic forms can be resolved into the optical antipodes by known methods, for example, by separation of diastereomeric salts thereof with an optically active acid, and liberating the optically active amine compound by treatment with a base. Another method for resolving racemates into the optical antipodes is based upon chromatography on an optically active matrix. Racemic compounds of the present invention can also be resolved into their optical antipodes, e.g. by fractional crystallization. The compounds of the present invention may also be resolved by the formation of diastereomeric derivatives. Additional methods for the resolution of optical isomers, known to those skilled in the art, may be used. Such methods include those discussed by J. Jaques, A. Collet and S. Wilen in "Enantiomers, Racemates, and Resolutions", John Wiley and Sons, New York (1981). Optically active compounds can also be prepared from optically active starting materials.
  • Furthermore, when a double bond or a fully or partially saturated ring system is present in the molecule geometric isomers may be formed. It is intended that any geometric isomers, as separated, pure or partially purified geometric isomers or mixtures thereof are included within the scope of the invention. Likewise, molecules having a bond with restricted rotation may form geometric isomers. These are also intended to be included within the scope of the present invention.
  • Furthermore, some of the compounds of the present invention may exist in different tautomeric forms and it is intended that any tautomeric forms that the compounds are able to form are included within the scope of the present invention.
  • In further embodiments of formula I, the compound of the invention is any one of:
    • 1. 2-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid benzyl-methyl-amide;
    • 2. 2-[4-(Acetyl-methyl-amino)-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl]-1-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid benzyl-methyl-amide;
    • 7. 1-Phenyl-2-[4-phenyl-4-(piperidine-1-carbonyl)-piperidin-1-ylmethyl]-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid benzyl-methyl-amide;
    • 9. 2-(4-Acetyl-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-phenyl-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid benzyl-methyl-amide;
    • 10. 2-[4-(4-Chloro-3-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-4-hydroxy-piperidin-1-ylmethyl]-1-phenyl-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid benzyl-methyl-amide;
    • 12. 2-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-(4-chloro-phenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid benzyl-methyl-amide;
    • 13. 1-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-2-[4-phenyl-4-(piperidine-1-carbonyl)-piperidin-1-ylmethyl]-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid benzyl-methyl-amide;
    • 14. 2-[4-(Acetyl-methyl-amino)-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl]-1-(4-chloro-phenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid benzyl-methyl-amide;
    • 15. 2-(4-Acetyl-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-(4-chloro-phenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid benzyl-methyl-amide;
    • 18. 2-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-(3,4-difluoro-phenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid methyl-(1-phenyl-ethyl)-amide;
    • 19. 2-[4-(Acetyl-methyl-amino)-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl]-1-(3,4-difluoro-phenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid methyl-([S]-1-phenyl-ethyl)-amide;
    • 21. 2-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-phenyl-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (4-fluoro-benzyl)-methyl-amide;
    • 22. 2-[4-(Acetyl-methyl-amino)-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl]-1-phenyl-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (4-fluoro-benzyl)-methyl-amide;
    • 24. 2-[4-(4-Chloro-3-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-4-hydroxy-piperidin-1-ylmethyl]-1-phenyl-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (4-fluoro-benzyl)-methyl-amide;
    • 26. 2-[4-(Acetyl-methyl-amino)-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl]-1-(4-chloro-phenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (4-fluoro-benzyl)-methyl-amide;
    • 28. 2-(4-Acetyl-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-(4-chloro-phenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (4-fluoro-benzyl)-methyl-amide;
    • 31. 1-(4-Fluoro-phenyl)-2-[4-phenyl-4-(piperidine-1-carbonyl)-piperidin-1-ylmethyl]-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (4-fluoro-benzyl)-methyl-amide;
    • 33. 1-(3,4-Difluoro-phenyl)-2-[4-phenyl-4-(piperidine-1-carbonyl)-piperidin-1-ylmethyl]-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid -methyl-amide;
    • 36. 1-(3,4-Dichlorophenyl)-2-[4-phenyl-4-(piperidine-1-carbonyl)-piperidin-1-ylmethyl]-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid benzyl-methyl-amide;
    • 37. 2-(4-Acetyl-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid benzyl-methyl-amide;
    • 39. 2-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid methyl-(1-phenyl-ethyl)-amide;
    • 40. 1-(3,4-Dichlorophenyl)-2-[4-phenyl-4-(piperidine-1-carbonyl)-piperidin-1-ylmethyl]-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid methyl-([S]-1-phenyl-ethyl)-amide;
    • 41. 2-[4-(Acetyl-methyl-amino)-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl]-1-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid methyl-([S]-1-phenyl-ethyl)-amide;
    • 42. 1-Phenyl-2-[4-phenyl-4-(piperidine-1-carbonyl)-piperidin-1-ylmethyl]-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (4-fluoro-benzyl)-methyl-amide;
    • 43. 1-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-2-[4-phenyl-4-(piperidine-1-carbonyl)-piperidin-1-ylmethyl]-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (4-fluoro-benzyl)-methyl-amide;
    • 44. 2-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-(4-chloro-phenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (4-fluoro-benzyl)-methyl-amide;
    • 45. 2-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-(4-chloro-phenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (2-chloro-benzyl)-methyl-amide;
    • 46. 1-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-2-[4-phenyl-4-(piperidine-1-carbonyl)-piperidin-1-ylmethyl]-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (2-chloro-benzyl)-methyl-amide;
    • 47. 2-[4-(Acetyl-methyl-amino)-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl]-1-(4-chloro-phenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (2-chloro-benzyl)-methyl-amide;
    • 49. 2-[4-(Acetyl-methyl-amino)-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl]-1-(4-fluoro-phenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (2-chloro-benzyl)-methyl-amide;
    • 50. 2-[4-(Acetyl-methyl-amino)-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl]-1-(3,4-difluoro-phenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (2-chloro-benzyl)-methyl-amide;
    • 51. 2-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (2-chloro-benzyl)-methyl-amide;
    • 52. 1-(3,4-Dichlorophenyl)-2-[4-phenyl-4-(piperidine-1-carbonyl)-piperidin-1-ylmethyl]-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (2-chloro-benzyl)-methyl-amide;
    • 53. 2-[4-(Acetyl-methyl-amino)-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl]-1-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (2-chloro-benzyl)-methyl-amide;
    • 55. 1-(3,4-Dichlorophenyl)-2-(4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid benzyl-methyl-amide; and
    • 56. 2-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (1-methyl-1-phenyl-ethyl)-amide;
    • 57 2-(4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid benzyl-ethyl-amide
    • 58. 2-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid benzyl-methyl-amide -([R]-1-phenyl-ethyl) amide
    • 59. 2-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid benzyl-methyl-amide;
    • 60. 2-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid benzyl-methyl-amide; and
    • 61. 2-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid benzyl-methyl-amide;
    • 62. 1S,2R)-2-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid methyl-([R]1-phenyl-ethyl)-amide;
    • 63. 2-[4-(Acetyl-methyl-amino)-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl]-1-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid methyl-([R]-1-phenyl-ethyl)-amide;
    • 66. 2-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-phenyl-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid benzyl-methyl-amide;
    • 67. 1-(3,4-Dichlorophenyl)-2-[4-phenyl-4-(piperidine-1-carbonyl)-piperidin-1-ylmethyl]-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid methyl-([S]-1-phenyl-ethyl)-amide;
    • 69. 1-Phenyl-2-[4-phenyl-4-(piperidine-1-carbonyl)-piperidin-1-ylmethyl]-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (4-fluoro-benzyl)-methyl-amide;
    • 70. 2-(4-Acetyl-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-phenyl-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (4-fluoro-benzyl)-methyl-amide;
    • 72. 2-[4-(Acetyl-methyl-amino)-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl]-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (4-fluoro-benzyl)-methyl-amide;
    • 73. 2-(4-Acetyl-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (4-fluoro-benzyl)-methyl-amide;
    • 75. 2-(4-Acetyl-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-(3,4-difluorophenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (4-fluoro-benzyl)-methyl-amide;
    • 77. 1-(4-Fluoro-phenyl)-2-[4-phenyl-4-(piperidine-1-carbonyl)-piperidin-1-ylmethyl]-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid methyl-([S]1-phenyl-ethyl)-amide;
    • 78. 2-(4-Acetyl-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-(4-chlorophenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (2-chloro-benzyl)-methyl-amide;
    • 80. 2-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (2-chloro-benzyl)-methyl-amide;
    • 81. 1-(4-Fluoro-phenyl)-2-[4-phenyl-4-(piperidine-1-carbonyl)-piperidin-1-ylmethyl]-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (2-chloro-benzyl)-methyl-amide;
    • 82. 2-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-(3,4-difluorophenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (2-chloro-benzyl)-methyl-amide;
    • 83. 1-(3,4-Difluorophenyl)-2-[4-phenyl-4-(piperidine-1-carbonyl)-piperidin-1-ylmethyl]-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (2-chloro-benzyl)-methyl-amide;
    • 86. 1-(3,4-Dichlorophenyl)-2-(4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid 3,4-dichloro-benzylamide;
    • 87. 1-(3,4-Dichlorophenyl)-2-(4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid 3,4-dimethoxy-benzylamide;
    • 88. 2-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid phenylamide;
    • 89. 2-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (1-methyl-1-phenyl-ethyl)-amide;
    • 90. 1-Phenyl-2-[4-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)-piperazin-1-ylmethyl]-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid benzyl-methyl-amide;
    • 91. 2-(4-Benzyl-piperazin-1-ylmethyl)-1-(4-chlorophenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (4-fluoro-benzyl)-methyl-amide;
    • 92. 1-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-[4-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)-piperazin-1-ylmethyl]-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid 4-fluorobenzyl-methyl-amide;
    • 93. 2-(4-Benzyl-piperazin-1-ylmethyl)-1-(4-chlorophenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid benzyl-methyl-amide;
    • 94. 2-(4-Benzyl-piperazin-1-ylmethyl)-1-phenyl-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid benzyl-methyl-amide;
    • 95. 1-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-[4-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)-piperazin-1-ylmethyl]-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid benzyl-methyl-amide;
    • 96. 1-phenyl-2-[4-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)-piperazin-1-ylmethyl]-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid 4-fluorobenzyl-methyl-amide;
    • 97. 2-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-(3,4-dichloro-phenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid benzyl amide;
    • 99. 2-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid methyl-[1-(4-methoxyphenyl)-ethyl]-amide;
    • 100. 2-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-(3,4-dichloro-phenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (2-chlorobenzyl) amide;
    • 101. 2-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-(3,4-dichloro-phenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (3,4-dichlorobenzyl) amide;
    • 102. 2-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-(3,4-dichloro-phenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid methyl-phenyl-amide;
    • 103. 2-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-(4-methoxy-phenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (4-fluoro-benzyl)-methyl-amide;
    • 104. 2-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-p-tolyl-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (4-fluoro-benzyl)-methyl-amide;
    • 105. 2-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-m-tolyl-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid benzyl-methyl-amide;
    • 106. 2-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-m-tolyl-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (4-fluoro-benzyl)-methyl-amide;
    • 107. 2-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-(3-methoxy-phenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (4-fluoro-benzyl)-methyl-amide;
    • 108. 2-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-(4-methoxy-phenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid benzyl-methyl-amide;
    • 109. 2-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-p-tolyl-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid benzyl-methyl-amide;
    • 110. 2-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-(3-methoxy-phenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid benzyl-methyl-amide;
    • 111. 1-Phenyl-2-(4-phenyl-4-ureido-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (4-fluoro-benzyl)-methyl-amide;
    • 112. 1-(3,4-Dichlorophenyl)-2-(4-phenyl-4-ureido-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid -benzyl-methyl-amide;
    • 113. 1-Phenyl-2-[4-(3-methyl-ureido)-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl]-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (4-fluorobenzyl)-methyl-amide;
    • 114. 2-[4-(3-Methyl-ureido)-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl]-1-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid benzyl-methyl-amide;
    • 115. N-(1- {2-[(4-Fluoro-benzyl)-methyl-carbamoyl]-2-phenyl-cyclopropylmethyl}-4-phenyl-piperidin-4-yl)-oxalamide;
    • 116. N-(1-{2-[benzyl-methyl-carbamoyl]-2-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-cyclopropylmethyl}-4-phenyl-piperidin-4-yl)-oxalamide;
    • 117. 1-Phenyl-2-(4-methanesulfonylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid -(4-fluorobenzyl)-methyl-amide;
    • 118. 2-(4-Methanesulfonylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid -benzyl-methyl-amide;
    • 119. {1-[2-((4-fluoro-benzyl)-methyl-carbamoyl)-2-phenyl-cyclopropylmethyl]-4-phenyl-piperidin-4-yl}-carbamic acid methyl ester;
    • 120. (1-{2-benzyl-methyl-carbamoyl]-2-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-cyclopropylmethyl}-4-phenyl-piperidin-4-yl)-carbamic acid methyl ester;
    • 121. 1-(3,4-Dichloro-phenyl)-2-[4-(3,3-dimethyl-ureido)-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl]-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid benzyl-methyl-amide;
    • 122. 1-phenyl-2-[4-(3,3-dimethyl-ureido)-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl]-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (4-fluorobenzyl)-methyl-amide;
    • 123. 2-[2-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-yl)-ethyl]-1-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (4-fluoro-benzyl)-methyl-amide;
    • 124. 2-[3-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-yl)-propyl]-1-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (4-fluoro-benzyl)-methyl-amide;
    • 125. 2-[4-(2-Acetylamino-5-fluorophenyl)-piperidin-1-ylmethyl]-1-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (4-fluoro-benzyl)-methyl-amide;
    • 126. 2-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-(3,4-dimethylphenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (4-fluoro-benzyl)-methyl-amide;
    • 127. 2-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (4-fluoro-benzyl)-methyl-amide;
    • 128. 2-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-(3-chlorophenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (4-fluoro-benzyl)-methyl-amide;
    • 129. 2-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-(3-fluorophenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (4-fluoro-benzyl)-methyl-amide;
    • 130. 1-(3,4-Dichlorophenyl)-2-(4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid methyl-naphthalen-1-ylmethyl-amide;
    • 132. 1-(3,4-Dichlorophenyl)-2-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid methyl-naphthalen-1-ylmethyl-amide; or a salt thereof, such as a pharmaceutically acceptable salt.
  • In an even more preferred embodiment of formula I, the compound is any one of the following compounds:
    • 1a. (1S,2R)-2-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid benzyl-methyl-amide;
    • 2a. (1S,2R)-2-[4-(Acetyl-methyl-amino)-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl]-1-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid benzyl-methyl-amide;
    • 7a. (1S,2R)-1-Phenyl-2-[4-phenyl-4-(piperidine-1-carbonyl)-piperidin-1-ylmethyl]-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid benzyl-methyl-amide;
    • 9a. (1S,2R)-2-(4-Acetyl-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-phenyl-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid benzyl-methyl-amide;
    • 10a. (1S,2R)-2-[4-(4-Chloro-3-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-4-hydroxy-piperidin-1-ylmethyl]-1-phenyl-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid benzyl-methyl-amide;
    • 12a. (1S,2R)-2-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-(4-chloro-phenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid benzyl-methyl-amide;
    • 13a. (1S,2R)-1-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-2-[4-phenyl-4-(piperidine-1-carbonyl)-piperidin-1-ylmethyl]-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid benzyl-methyl-amide;
    • 14a. (1S,2R)-2-[4-(Acetyl-methyl-amino)-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl]-1-(4-chlorophenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid benzyl-methyl-amide;
    • 15a. (1S,2R)-2-(4-Acetyl-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-(4-chloro-phenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid benzyl-methyl-amide;
    • 18a. (1S,2R)-2-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-(3,4-difluoro-phenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid methyl-(1-phenyl-ethyl)-amide;
    • 19a. (1S,2R)-2-[4-(Acetyl-methyl-amino)-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl]-1-(3,4-difluorophenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid methyl-([S]-1-phenyl-ethyl)-amide;
    • 21a. (1S,2R)-2-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-phenyl-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (4-fluoro-benzyl)-methyl-amide;
    • 22a. (1S,2R)-2-[4-(Acetyl-methyl-amino)-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl]-1-phenyl-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (4-fluoro-benzyl)-methyl-amide;
    • 24a. (1S,2R)-2-[4-(4-Chloro-3-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-4-hydroxy-piperidin-1-ylmethyl]-1-phenyl-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (4-fluoro-benzyl)-methyl-amide;
    • 26a. (1S,2R)-2-[4-(Acetyl-methyl-amino)-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl]-1-(4-chlorophenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (4-fluoro-benzyl)-methyl-amide;
    • 28a. (1S,2R)-2-(4-Acetyl-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-(4-chloro-phenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (4-fluoro-benzyl)-methyl-amide;
    • 31 a. (1S,2R)-1-(4-Fluoro-phenyl)-2-[4-phenyl-4-(piperidine-1-carbonyl)-piperidin-1-ylmethyl]-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (4-fluoro-benzyl)-methyl-amide;
    • 33a. (1S,2R)-1-(3,4-Difluoro-phenyl)-2-[4-phenyl-4-(piperidine-1-carbonyl)-piperidin-1-ylmethyl]-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid -methyl-amide;
    • 36a. (1S,2R)-1-(3,4-Dichlorophenyl)-2-[4-phenyl-4-(piperidine-1-carbonyl)-piperidin-1-ylmethyl]-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid benzyl-methyl-amide;
    • 37a. (1S,2R)-2-(4-Acetyl-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid benzyl-methyl-amide;
    • 39a. (1S,2R)-2-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid methyl-(1-phenyl-ethyl)-amide;
    • 40a. (1S,2R)-(1S,2R)-1-(3,4-Dichloro-phenyl)-2-[4-phenyl-4-(piperidine-1-carbonyl)-piperidin-1-ylmethyl]-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid methyl-([S]-1-phenyl-ethyl) amide;
    • 41a. (1S,2R)-2-[4-(Acetyl-methyl-amino)-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl]-1-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid methyl-([S]-1-phenyl-ethyl)-amide;
    • 42a. (1S,2R)-1-Phenyl-2-[4-phenyl-4-(piperidine-1-carbonyl)-piperidin-1-ylmethyl]-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (4-fluoro-benzyl)-methyl-amide;
    • 43a. (1S,2R)-1-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-2-[4-phenyl-4-(piperidine-1-carbonyl)-piperidin-1-ylmethyl]-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (4-fluoro-benzyl)-methyl-amide;
    • 44a. (1S,2R)-2-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-(4-chloro-phenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (4-fluoro-benzyl)-methyl-amide;
    • 45a. (1S,2R)-2-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-(4-chloro-phenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (2-chloro-benzyl)-methyl-amide;
    • 46a. (1S,2R)-1-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-2-[4-phenyl-4-(piperidine-1-carbonyl)-piperidin-1-ylmethyl]-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (2-chloro-benzyl)-methyl-amide;
    • 47a. (1S,2R)-2-[4-(Acetyl-methyl-amino)-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl]-1-(4-chlorophenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (2-chloro-benzyl)-methyl-amide;
    • 49a. (1S,2R)-2-[4-(Acetyl-methyl-amino)-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl]-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (2-chloro-benzyl)-methyl-amide;
    • 50a. (1S,2R)-2-[4-(Acetyl-methyl-amino)-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl]-1-(3,4-difluorophenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (2-chloro-benzyl)-methyl-amide;
    • 51a. (1S,2R)-2-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (2-chloro-benzyl)-methyl-amide;
    • 52a. (1S,2R)-1-(3,4-Dichlorophenyl)-2-[4-phenyl-4-(piperidine-1-carbonyl)-piperidin-1-ylmethyl]-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (2-chloro-benzyl)-methyl-amide;
    • 53a. (1S,2R)-2-[4-(Acetyl-methyl-amino)-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl]-1-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (2-chloro-benzyl)-methyl-amide;
    • 55a. (1S,2R)-1-(3,4-Dichlorophenyl)-2-(4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid benzyl-methyl-amide;
    • 56a. (1S,2R)-2-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (1-methyl-1-phenyl-ethyl)-amide.
    • 57a (1S,2R)- 2-(4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid benzyl-ethyl-amide
    • 58a. (1S,2R)- 2-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid benzyl-methyl-amide-([R]-1-phenyl-ethyl) amide
    • 59a. (1R,2S)-2-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid benzyl-methyl-amide;
    • 60a. (1R,2R)-2-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid benzyl-methyl-amide; and
    • 61a. (1S,2S)-2-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid benzyl-methyl-amide;
    • 62a (1S,2R)-2-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid methyl-([R]1-phenyl-ethyl)-amide;
    • 63a (1S,2R)-2-[4-(Acetyl-methyl-amino)-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl]-1-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid methyl-([R]-1-phenyl-ethyl)-amide; 66a. (1S,2R)-2-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-phenyl-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid benzyl-methyl-amide;
    • 67a. (1S,2R)-1-(3,4-Dichlorophenyl)-2-[4-phenyl-4-(piperidine-1-carbonyl)-piperidin-1-ylmethyl]-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid methyl-([S]-1-phenyl-ethyl)-amide;
    • 69a. (1S,2R)-1-Phenyl-2-[4-phenyl-4-(piperidine-1-carbonyl)-piperidin-1-ylmethyl]-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (4-fluoro-benzyl)-methyl-amide;
    • 70a. (1S,2R)-2-(4-Acetyl-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-phenyl-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (4-fluoro-benzyl)-methyl-amide;
    • 72a. (1S,2R)-2-[4-(Acetyl-methyl-amino)-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl]-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (4-fluoro-benzyl)-methyl-amide;
    • 73a. (1S,2R)-2-(4-Acetyl-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (4-fluoro-benzyl)-methyl-amide;
    • 75a. (1S,2R)-2-(4-Acetyl-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-(3,4-difluorophenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (4-fluoro-benzyl)-methyl-amide;
    • 77a. (1S,2R)-1-(4-Fluoro-phenyl)-2-[4-phenyl-4-(piperidine-1-carbonyl)-piperidin-1-ylmethyl]-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid methyl-([S] 1-phenyl-ethyl)-amide;
    • 78a. (1S,2R)-2-(4-Acetyl-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-(4-chlorophenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (2-chloro-benzyl)-methyl-amide;
    • 80a. (1S,2R)-2-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (2-chloro-benzyl)-methyl-amide;
    • 81a. (1S,2R)-1-(4-Fluoro-phenyl)-2-[4-phenyl-4-(piperidine-1-carbonyl)-piperidin-1-ylmethyl]-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (2-chloro-benzyl)-methyl-amide;
    • 82a. (1S,2R)-2-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-(3,4-difluorophenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (2-chloro-benzyl)-methyl-amide;
    • 83a. (1S,2R)-1-(3,4-Difluorophenyl)-2-[4-phenyl-4-(piperidine-1-carbonyl)-pipendin-1-ylmethyl]-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (2-chloro-benzyl)-methyl-amide;
    • 86a. (1S,2R)-1-(3,4-Dichlorophenyl)-2-(4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid 3,4-dichloro-benzylamide;
    • 87a. (1S,2R)-1-(3,4-Dichlorophenyl)-2-(4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid 3,4-dimethoxy-benzylamide;
    • 88a. (1S,2R)-2-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid phenylamide;
    • 89a. (1S,2R)-2-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (1-methyl-1-phenyl-ethyl)-amide;
    • 90a. (1S,2R)-1-Phenyl-2-[4-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)-piperazin-1-ylinethyl]-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid benzyl-methyl-amide;
    • 91a. (1S,2R)-2-(4-Benzyl-piperazin-1-ylmethyl)-1-(4-chlorophenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (4-fluoro-benzyl)-methyl-amide;
    • 92a. (1S,2R)-1-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-[4-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)-piperazin-1-ylmethyl]-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid 4-fluorobenzyl-methyl-amide;
    • 93a. (1S,2R)-2-(4-Benzyl-piperazin-1-ylmethyl)-1-(4-chlorophenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid benzyl-methyl-amide;
    • 94a. (1S,2R)-2-(4-Benzyl-piperazin-1-ylmethyl)-1-phenyl-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid benzyl-methyl-amide;
    • 95a. (1S,2R)-1-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-[4-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)-piperazin-1-ylmethyl]-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid benzyl-methyl-amide;
    • 96a. (1S,2R)-1-phenyl-2-[4-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)-piperazin-1-ylmethyl]-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid 4-fluorobenzyl-methyl-amide;
    • 97a. (1S,2R)-2-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylinethyl)-1-(3,4-dichloro-phenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid benzyl amide;
    • 99a. (1S,2R)-2-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid methyl-[1-(4-methoxyphenyl)-ethyl]-amide;
    • 100a. (1S,2R)-2-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-(3,4-dichloro-phenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (2-chlorobenzyl) amide;
    • 101 a. (1S,2R)-2-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-(3,4-dichloro-phenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (3,4-dichlorobenzyl) amide;
    • 102a. (1S,2R)-2-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-(3,4-dichloro-phenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid methyl-phenyl-amide;
    • 103a. (1S,2R)-2-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-(4-methoxy-phenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (4-fluoro-benzyl)-methyl-amide;
    • 104a. (1S,2R)-2-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-p-tolyl-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (4-fluoro-benzyl)-methyl-amide;
    • 105a. (1S,2R)-2-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-m-tolyl-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid benzyl-methyl-amide;
    • 106a. (1S,2R)-2-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-m-tolyl-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (4-fluoro-benzyl)-methyl-amide;
    • 107a. (1S,2R)-2-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-(3-methoxy-phenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (4-fluoro-benzyl)-niethyl-amide;
    • 108a. (1S,2R)-2-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-(4-methoxy-phenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid benzyl-methyl-amide;
    • 109a. (1S,2R)-2-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-p-tolyl-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid benzyl-methyl-amide;
    • 110a. (1S,2R)-2-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-(3-methoxy-phenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid benzyl-methyl-amide;
    • 111a. (1S,2R)-1-Phenyl-2-(4-phenyl-4-ureido-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (4-fluoro-benzyl)-methyl-amide;
    • 112a. (1S,2R)-1-(3,4-Dichlorophenyl)-2-(4-phenyl-4-ureido-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid -benzyl-methyl-amide;
    • 113a. (1S,2R)-1-Phenyl-2-[4-(3-methyl-ureido)-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl]-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (4-fluorobenzyl)-methyl-amide;
    • 114a. (1S,2R)-2-[4-(3-Methyl-ureido)-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl]-1-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid benzyl-methyl-amide;
    • 115a. (1S,2R)-N-(1-{2-[(4-Fluoro-benzyl)-methyl-carbamoyl]-2-phenyl-cyclopropylmethyl}-4-phenyl-piperidin-4-yl)-oxalamide;
    • 116a. (1S,2R)-N-(1-{2-[benzyl-methyl-carbamoyl]-2-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-cyclopropylmethyl}-4-phenyl-piperidin-4-yl)-oxalamide;
    • 117a. (1S,2R)-1-Phenyl-2-(4-methanesulfonylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid -(4-fluorobenzyl)-methyl-amide;
    • 118a. (1S,2R)-2-(4-Methanesulfonylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid -benzyl-methyl-amide;
    • 119a. (1S,2R)-{1-[2-((4-fluoro-benzyl)-methyl-carbamoyl)-2-phenyl-cyclopropylmethyl]-4-phenyl-piperidin-4-yl}-carbamic acid methyl ester;
    • 120a. (1S,2R)-(1-{2-benzyl-methyl-carbamoyl]-2-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-cyclopropylmethyl}-4-phenyl-piperidin-4-yl)-carbamic acid methyl ester;
    • 121a. (1S,2R)-1-(3,4-Dichloro-phenyl)-2-[4-(3,3-dimethyl-ureido)-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl]-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid benzyl-methyl-amide;
    • 122a. (1S,2R)-1-phenyl-2-[4-(3,3-dimethyl-ureido)-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl]-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (4-fluorobenzyl)-methyl-amide;
    • 123a. (1S,2R)-2-[2-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-yl)-ethyl]-1-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (4-fluoro-benzyl)-methyl-amide;
    • 124a. (1S,2R)-2-[3-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-yl)-propyl]-1-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (4-fluoro-benzyl)-methyl-amide;
    • 125a. (1S,2R)-2-[4-(2-Acetylamino-5-fluorophenyl)-piperidin-1-ylmethyl]-1-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (4-fluoro-benzyl)-methyl-amide;
    • 126a. (1S,2R)-2-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-(3,4-dimethylphenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (4-fluoro-benzyl)-methyl-amide;
    • 127a. (1S,2R)-2-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (4-fluoro-benzyl)-methyl-amide;
    • 128a. (1S,2R)-2-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-(3-chlorophenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (4-fluoro-benzyl)-methyl-amide;
    • 129a. (1S,2R)-2-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-(3-fluorophenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (4-fluoro-benzyl)-methyl-amide;
    • 130a. (1S,2R)-1-(3,4-Dichlorophenyl)-2-(4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid methyl-naphthalen-1-ylmethyl-amide;
    • 132a. (1S,2R)-1-(3,4-Dichlorophenyl)-2-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid methyl-naphthalen-1-ylmethyl-amide; or a salt thereof, such as a pharmaceutically acceptable salt.
  • In further embodiments of formula I, the compound is any one of:
    • 19b. 2-[4-(Acetyl-methyl-amino)-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl]-1-(3,4-difluoro-phenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid methyl-(1-phenyl-ethyl)-amide;
    • 20b.2-[1-acetyl-5-fluorospiro[2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-3-yl-3,4'-piperidine-1'-yl-methyl]-1-(3,4-difluorophenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid methyl-(1-phenyl-ethyl) amide;
    • 40b.1-(3,4-Dichlorophenyl)-2-[4-phenyl-4-(piperidine-1-carbonyl)-piperidin-1-ylinethyl]-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid methyl-(1-phenyl-ethyl)-amide;
    • 41b.2-[4-(Acetyl-methyl-amino)-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl]-1-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid methyl-(1-phenyl-ethyl)-amide;
    • 58b. 2-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid benzyl-methyl-amide -(1-phenyl-ethyl) amide
    • 62b. 1S,2R)-2-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid methyl-(1-phenyl-ethyl)-amide;
    • 63b. 2-[4-(Acetyl-methyl-amino)-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl]-1-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid methyl-(1-phenyl-ethyl)-amide;
    • 67b. 1-(3,4-Dichlorophenyl)-2-[4-phenyl-4-(piperidine-1-carbonyl)-piperidin-1-ylmethyl]-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid methyl-(1-phenyl-ethyl)-amide;
    • 77b. 1-(4-Fluoro-phenyl)-2-[4-phenyl-4-(piperidine-1-carbonyl)-piperidin-1-ylmethyl]-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid methyl-(1-phenyl-ethyl)-amide; or a salt thereof, such as a pharmaceutically acceptable salt.
  • Within the invention is also a compound selected from the group consisting of 19b, 40b, 41b, 58b, 62b, 63b, 67b, 77b which is the (1S,2R)-isomer, i.e. having an absolute configuration as shown in formula IA; or a salt thereof, such as a pharmaceutically acceptable salt.
  • Other aspects of the invention relate to a compound of the invention of formula I which is the (1R,2R)-isomer (i.e. in contrast to formula IA which is the (1S,2R)-isomer).
  • Other aspects of the invention relate to a compound of the invention of formula I which is the (1S,2S)-isomer (i.e. in contrast to formula IA which is the (1S,2R)-isomer).
  • Other aspects of the invention relate to a compound of the invention of formula I which is the (1R,2S)-isomer (i.e. in contrast to formula IA which is the (1S,2R)-isomer).
  • The present invention also comprises salts of the compounds of the invention, typically, pharmaceutically acceptable salts. Such salts include pharmaceutical acceptable acid addition salts, pharmaceutically acceptable metal salts, ammonium and alkylated ammonium salts. Acid addition salts include salts of inorganic acids as well as organic acids.
  • Examples of suitable inorganic acids include hydrochloric, hydrobromic, hydroiodic, phosphoric, sulfuric, sulfamic, nitric acids and the like.
  • Examples of suitable organic acids include formic, acetic, trichloroacetic, trifluoroacetic, propionic, benzoic, cinnamic, citric, fumaric, glycolic, itaconic, lactic, methanesulfonic, maleic, malic, malonic, mandelic, oxalic, picric, pyruvic, salicylic, succinic, methane sulfonic, ethanesulfonic, tartaric, ascorbic, pamoic, bismethylene salicylic, ethanedisulfonic, gluconic, citraconic, aspartic, stearic, palmitic, EDTA,; glycolic, p-aminobenzoic, glutamic, benzenesulfonic, p-toluenesulfonic acids, theophylline acetic acids, as well as the 8-halotheophyllines, for example 8-bromotheophylline and the like. Further examples of pharmaceutical acceptable inorganic or organic acid addition salts include the pharmaceutically acceptable salts listed in J. Pharm. Sci. 1977,66,2, which is incorporated herein by reference.
  • Examples of metal salts include lithium, sodium, potassium, magnesium salts and the like.
  • Examples of ammonium and alkylated ammonium salts include ammonium, methyl-, dimethyl-, trimethyl-, ethyl-, hydroxyethyl-, diethyl-, n-butyl-, sec-butyl-, tert-butyl-, tetramethylammonium salts and the like.
  • Also intended as pharmaceutical acceptable acid addition salts are the hydrates, which the present compounds, are able to form.
  • Further, the compounds of this invention may exist in unsolvated as well as in solvated forms with pharmaceutically acceptable solvents such as water, ethanol and the like. In general, the solvated forms are considered equivalent to the unsolvated forms for the purposes of this invention.
  • The compounds (including salts thereof) of the invention are NK3 receptor antagonists having a human NK3 binding affinity (Ki) of 5 µM or less, typically of 1 µM or less, and preferably of 200 nM or less, e.g. as measured by the method described in Example 20.
  • A further objective of the present invention is to provide compounds, including salts thereof, with such activities which have one or more of the following parameters which are improved: solubility, metabolic stability and bioavailability compared to prior art compounds.
    • Pharmaceutical use
  • As mentioned above the compounds of the invention are NK3 receptor antagonists and may thus be useful for treatment in a disorder or disease wherein the NK3 receptor is implicated.
  • Compounds of the invention and the salt thereof may be applicable for treatment, including prevention, of schizophrenia, psychotic disorders, depression, anxiety, Parkinson's disease, pain, convulsions, cough, asthma, airway hyperresponsiveness, microvascular hypersensitivity, bronchoconstriction, gut inflammation, inflammatory bowel disease, hypertension, imbalances in water and electrolyte homeostasis, ischemia, oedema or plasma extravasation. In a preferred embodiment, the compounds of the invention and the salt thereof can be used as an antipsychotic.
  • Thus, a compound of the invention may be useful for the treatment of a disease or disorder in the central nervous system.
  • In further embodiments, the compound of the invention or salt thereof may also have some NK1 and/or NK2 activity in addition to the NK3 activity as described herein. Accordingly, the compound of the invention and the salts thereof may also be useful for the treatment, including prevention, of diseases where the NK1 receptor and/or the NK2 receptor is implicated, especially emesis, depression or anxiety.
  • In a further aspect, the invention relates to a compound of the invention or salts thereof for use as a medicament.
  • The present invention also relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of the invention or a salt thereof and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or a diluent. The composition may comprise any one of the embodiments of formula I described herein.
  • The present invention also relates to use of a compound of the invention or a salt thereof, for the preparation of a medicament for the treatment of a disease or disorder, wherein an NK receptor antagonist, in particular an NK3 receptor antagonist is beneficial. The medicament may comprise any one of the embodiments of formula I described herein.
  • In particular the present invention relates to use of a compound of the invention or a salt thereof for the preparation of a medicament for the treatment of any of the diseases indicated herein, including psychotic disorders, in particular schizophrenia.
  • Further, the invention also relates to use of a compound of the invention or a salt thereof for the preparation of a medicament for the treatment or prevention of depression or anxiety. The invention also relates to use of a compound of the invention or a salt thereof for the preparation of a medicament for the treatment or prevention of Parkinson's disease. Further, the invention also relates to use of a compound of the invention or a salt thereof for the preparation of a medicament for the treatment or prevention of convulsions.
  • The compounds of the invention or the salt thereof may be administered alone or in combination with pharmaceutically acceptable carriers or excipients, in either single or multiple doses. The pharmaceutical compositions according to the invention may be formulated with pharmaceutically acceptable carriers or diluents as well as any other known adjuvants and excipients in accordance with conventional techniques such as those disclosed in Remington: The Science and Practice of Pharmacy, 19 Edition, Gennaro, Ed., Mack Publishing Co., Easton, PA, 1995.
  • The pharmaceutical compositions may be specifically formulated for administration by any suitable route such as the oral, rectal, nasal, pulmonary, topical (including buccal and sublingual), transdermal, intracisternal, intraperitoneal, vaginal and parenteral (including subcutaneous, intramuscular, intrathecal, intravenous and intradermal) route, the oral route being preferred. It will be appreciated that the preferred route will depend on the general condition and age of the subject to be treated, the nature of the condition to be treated and the active ingredient chosen.
  • Pharmaceutical compositions for oral administration include solid dosage forms such as capsules, tablets, dragees, pills, lozenges, powders and granules. Where appropriate, they can be prepared with coatings such as enteric coatings or they can be formulated so as to provide controlled release of the active ingredient such as sustained or prolonged release according to methods well known in the art.
  • Liquid dosage forms for oral administration include solutions, emulsions, suspensions, syrups and elixirs.
  • Pharmaceutical compositions for parenteral administration include sterile aqueous and non-aqueous injectable solutions, dispersions, suspensions or emulsions as well as sterile powders to be reconstituted in sterile injectable solutions or dispersions prior to use. Depot injectable formulations are also contemplated as being within the scope of the present invention.
  • Other suitable administration forms include suppositories, sprays, ointments, cremes, gels, inhalants, dermal patches, implants, etc.
  • In an embodiment of the pharmaceutical composition, the compound of the invention administered in an amount of from about 0.001 to about 100 mg/kg body weight per day.
  • Conveniently, the compounds of the invention are administered in a unit dosage form containing said compounds in an amount of about 0.01 to 100 mg. The total daily dose is usually in the range of about 0.05 - 500 mg.
  • A typical oral dosage is in the range of from about 0.001 to about 100 mg/kg body weight per day, preferably from about 0.01 to about 50 mg/kg body weight per day, and more preferred from about 0.05 to about 10 mg/kg body weight per day administered in one or more dosages such as 1 to 3 dosages. The exact dosage will depend upon the frequency and mode of administration, the sex, age, weight and general condition of the subject treated, the nature and severity of the condition treated and any concomitant diseases to be treated and other factors evident to those skilled in the art.
  • The formulations may conveniently be presented in unit dosage form by methods known to those skilled in the art. A typical unit dosage form for oral administration one or more times per day such as 1 to 3 times per day may contain from 0.01 to about 1000 mg, preferably from about 0.05 to about 500 mg, and more preferred from about 0.5 mg to about 200 mg. For parenteral routes such as intravenous, intrathecal, intramuscular and similar administration, typically doses are in the order of about half the dose employed for oral administration.
  • The compounds of this invention are generally utilized as the free substance or as a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. One example is an acid addition salt of a compound having the utility of a free base. When a compound of the invention contains a free base such salts are prepared in a conventional manner by treating a solution or suspension of a free base of the invention with a chemical equivalent of a pharmaceutically acceptable acid. Representative examples are mentioned above.
  • For parenteral administration, solutions of the compound of the invention in sterile aqueous solution, aqueous propylene glycol, aqueous vitamin E or sesame or peanut oil may be employed. Such aqueous solutions should be suitably buffered if necessary and the liquid diluent first rendered isotonic with sufficient saline or glucose. The aqueous solutions are particularly suitable for intravenous, intramuscular, subcutaneous and intraperitoneal administration. The sterile aqueous media employed are all readily available by standard techniques known to those skilled in the art.
  • Suitable pharmaceutical carriers include inert solid diluents or fillers, sterile aqueous solution and various organic solvents. Examples of solid carriers are lactose, terra alba, sucrose, cyclodextrin, talc, gelatin, agar, pectin, acacia, magnesium stearate, stearic acid and lower alkyl ethers of cellulose. Examples of liquid carriers are syrup, peanut oil, olive oil, phospho lipids, fatty acids, fatty acid amines, polyoxyethylene and water. Similarly, the carrier or diluent may include any sustained release material known in the art, such as glyceryl monostearate or glyceryl distearate, alone or mixed with a wax. The pharmaceutical compositions formed by combining the compound of the invention and the pharmaceutical acceptable carriers are then readily administered in a variety of dosage forms suitable for the disclosed routes of administration. The formulations may conveniently be presented in unit dosage form by methods known in the art of pharmacy.
  • Formulations of the present invention suitable for oral administration may be presented as discrete units such as capsules or tablets, each containing a predetermined. amount of the active ingredient, and which may include a suitable excipient. Furthermore, the orally available formulations may be in the form of a powder or granules, a solution or suspension in an aqueous or non-aqueous liquid, or an oil-in-water or water-in-oil liquid emulsion.
  • If a solid carrier is used for oral administration, the preparation may be tablets, placed in a hard gelatin capsule in powder or pellet form or it can be in the form of a troche or lozenge. The amount of solid carrier will vary widely but will usually be from about 25 mg to about 1 g.
  • If a liquid carrier is used, the preparation may be in the form of a syrup, emulsion, soft gelatin capsule or sterile injectable liquid such as an aqueous or non-aqueous liquid suspension or solution.
  • The pharmaceutical formulations of the invention may be prepared by conventional methods in the art.
  • For example: Tablets may be prepared by mixing the active ingredient with ordinary adjuvants and/or diluents and subsequently compressing the mixture in a conventional tabletting machine. Examples of adjuvants or diluents comprise: Corn starch, potato starch, talcum, magnesium stearate, gelatine, lactose, gums, and the like. Any other adjuvants or additives usually used for such purposes such as colourings, flavourings, preservatives etc. may be used provided that they are compatible with the active ingredients.
  • Solutions for injections may be prepared by dissolving the active ingredient and possible additives in a part of the solvent for injection, preferably sterile water, adjusting the solution to the desired volume, sterilising the solution and filling it in suitable ampoules or vials. Any suitable additive conventionally used in the art may be added, such as tonicity agents, preservatives, antioxidants, etc.
  • Typical examples of recipes for the formulation of the invention are as follows:
    1) Tablets containing 5.0 mg of a compound of the invention calculated as the free base:
    Compound 5.0 mg
    Lactose 60 mg
    Maize starch 30 mg
    Hydroxypropylcellulose 2.4 mg
    Microcrystalline cellulose 19.2 mg
    Croscarmellose Sodium Type A 2.4 mg
    Magnesium stearate 0.84 mg

    2) Tablets containing 0.5 mg of a compound of the invention calculated as the free base:
    Compound 0.5 mg
    Lactose 46.9 mg
    Maize starch 23.5 mg
    Povidone 1.8 mg
    Microcrystalline cellulose 14.4 mg
    Croscarmellose Sodium Type A 1.8 mg
    Magnesium stearate 0.63 mg

    3) Syrup containing per millilitre:
    Compound 25 mg
    Sorbitol 500 mg
    Hydroxypropylcellulose 15 mg.
    Glycerol 50 mg
    Methyl-paraben 1 mg
    Propyl-paraben 0.1 mg
    Ethanol 0.005 mL
    Flavour 0.05 mg
    Saccharin sodium 0.5 mg
    Water ad 1 mL

    4) Solution for injection containing per millilitre:
    Compound 0.5 mg
    Sorbitol 5.1 mg
    Acetic Acid 0.05 mg
    Saccharin sodium 0.5 mg
    Water ad 1 mL
    • Methods of preparation of the compounds of the invention
  • The compounds of the invention may be prepared as follows:
    • Method 1 Alkylating an amine of formula III with an alkylating derivative of formula - II:
      Figure imgb0008
       where R1-R26, n and Q are as defined herein, and L is a leaving group such as e.g. halogen, mesylate or tosylate;
    • Method 2 Reductive alkylation of an amine of formula III with a reagent of formula IV:
      Figure imgb0009
       where R1-R26, n and Q are as defined herein, and E is an aldehyde or an activated carboxylic acid;
    • Method 3 Reacting an amine of formula VI with an methyl ester of formula VII by the use of Lewis acid catalyst:
      Figure imgb0010
       where R1-R26, n and Q are as defined herein,
    • Method 4 Reacting an amine of formula VI with an acid of formula VIII by the use of an activating reagent or a coupling reagent:
      Figure imgb0011
       wherein R1-R26, n and Q are as defined herein,
    • Method 5 Reducing an amine of formula IX:
      Figure imgb0012
       wherein R1-R26, n and Q are as defined herein,
      whereupon the compound of formula I is isolated as the free base or a pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt thereof.
  • The alkylation according to method 1 is conveniently performed in an organic solvent such as a suitably boiling alcohol or ketone, preferably in the presence of an organic or inorganic base (potassium carbonate, diisopropylethylamine or triethylamine) at reflux temperature. Alternatively, the alkylation can be performed at a fixed temperature, which is different from the boiling point, in one of the above-mentioned solvents or in dimethyl formamide (DMF), dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), or N-methylpyrrolidin-2-one (NMP), preferably in the presence of a base. The alkylating derivatives of formula II with n=0 have been described in the literature or can be prepared in an analogues manner e.g. Shuto et al. J. Org. Chem. 1996, 61, 915 and Ronsisvalle et al. Biorg. Med. Chem. 2000, 8, 1503 and Bonnaud et al. J. Med. Chem. 1987, 30, 318. The alkylating derivatives of formula II with n=1 and n=2 can be prepared from alkylating derivatives of formula II with n=0 by standard chain elongation methods e.g. by substitution of an bromide of formula II with n=0 with cyanide followed by hydrolysis, reduction to the alcohol and conversion to a leaving group L resulting in alkylating derivatives of formula II with n=1. Correspondingly, alkylating derivatives of formula II with n=2 can be prepared by substitution of an bromide of formula II with n=0 with a malonic ester derivative, followed by hydrolysis, decarboxylation, reduction to the alcohol and conversion to a leaving group L. Standard chain elongation methods are described in standard works such as Houben-Weyl, Methoden der organischen Chemie (Methods of Organic Chemistry), Georg-Thieme-Verlag, Stuttgart; or Organic Reactions, John Wiley & Sons, Inc. New York, namely under reaction conditions such as those which are known and suitable for such reactions.
  • The amines of formula III are either commercially available or can be prepared by methods analogues to those described in the literature e.g. Marxer et al. J. Org. Chem. 1975, 40, 1427, by Parham et al. J. Org. Chem. 1976, 41, 2628 and by Bauer et al. J. Med. Chem. 1976, 19, 1315, Maligres et al. Tetrahedron 1997, 53, 10983, and by Cheng et al. Tet. Lett. 1997, 38, 1497, Chen, Meng-Hsin; Abraham, John A. Tetrahedron Lett. 1996, 37, 5233-5234 and Slade, P.D. et al. J. Med. Chem. 1998, 41, 1218-1235 or as described by the methods used in the examples or analogues methods.
  • The reductive alkylation according to method 2 is performed by standard literature methods. Aldehydes or acids of the formula IV can be prepared by methods analogues to those described in e.g. Shuto et al. J. Org. Chem. 1996, 61, 915 and Shuto et al. J. Med. Chern. 1996, 38, 2964 and Shuto et al. J. Chem. Soc., Perkin Trans. 1, 2002, 1199 and Bonnaud et al. J. Med. Chem. 1987, 30, 318. The reaction can be performed in two steps, e.g. coupling of amines of formula III with reagent of formula IV by standard methods via the carboxylic acid chloride, activated esters or by the use of carboxylic acids in combination with a coupling reagents such as e.g. dicyclohexyl carbodiimide, followed by reduction of the resulting amide with lithium aluminium hydride or alane. Alternatively, the reaction can be performed in one step by reductive amination of an aldehyde of formula IV with an amine of formula III according to methods described in standard works such as Houben-Weyl, Methoden der organischen Chemie (Methods of Organic Chemistry), Georg-Thieme-Verlag, Stuttgart; Organic Reactions, John Wiley & Sons, Inc. New York, namely under reaction conditions such as those which are known and suitable for such reactions.
  • The acylation of amine VI in method 3 with an ester of formula VII can be performed by methods analogues to those described in the literature e.g. Lesimple et al. Synthesis 1991, 306. Amines of formula VI are either commercially available or can be prepared by methods known in the literature according to methods described in standard works such as Houben-Weyl, Methoden der organischen Chemie (Methods of Organic Chemistry), Georg-Thieme-Verlag, Stuttgart; Organic Reactions, John Wiley & Sons, Inc. New York, namely under reaction conditions such as those which are known and suitable for such reactions and esters of fomula VII can be made by methods analogues to those described in the literature e.g. Shuto et al. J. Org. Chem. 1996, 61, 915 and Ronsisvalle et al. Biorg. Med. Chem. 2000, 8, 1503 and Bonnaud et al. J. Med. Chem. 1987, 30, 318.
  • The acylation of amine VI in method 4 with an acid of formula VIII can be performed by standard methods via the carboxylic acid chloride, activated esters or by the use of carboxylic acids in combination with a coupling reagent such as e.g. dicyclohexyl carbodiimide, carbonyl diimidazole or benzotriazol-1-loxytris(dimethylamino)phosphonium hexafluorophosphate as described in standard works e.g. Bodanszky "The practice of peptide synthesis", 1994 Springer verlag Berlin, ISBN 3-540-57505-7 and Houben-Weyl, Methoden der organischen Chemie (Methods of Organic Chemistry), Georg-Thieme-Verlag, Stuttgart; Organic Reactions, John Wiley & Sons, Inc. New York. The acid of formula VIII can be prepared by standard basic hydrolysis of the ester described in method 3 and in the Examples.
  • The reduction of amine IX in method 5 can be performed by standard methods e.g. hydrogenate using a Parr apparatus (ambient temperature, 3 atm. H2) and adding a catalyst e.g. Crabtree's catalyst ([(1,5-cyclooctadiene)(pyridine)(tricyclohexylphosphine)iridium(I) hexafluorophosphate]), palladium or platinum oxide. The amine of formula IX can be prepared by the same procedure as described in method 2, using an oxo-alkenyl compound of formula X, which can be prepared by a wittig reaction between an aldehyde of formula IVa and a wittig reagent derived from (1,3-Dioxolan-2-ylmethyl)triphenylphosphonium bromide in the presence of a suitable base.
    Figure imgb0013
    • EXAMPLES General Methods
  • Melting points were determined on a Büchi SMP-20 apparatus and are uncorrected. Analytical LC-MS data were obtained on a PE Sciex API 150EX instrument equipped with IonSpray source and Shimadzu LC-8A/SLC-10A LC system. The LC conditions (C18 column 4.6 × 30 mm with a particle size of 3.5 µm) were linear gradient elution with water/acetonitrile/trifluoroacetic acid (90:10:0.05) to water/acetonitrile/trifluoroacetic acid (10:90:0.03) in 4 min at 2 mL/min. Purity was determined by integration of the UV trace (254 nm). The retention times, Rt, are expressed in minutes.
  • Mass spectra were obtained by an alternating scan method to give molecular weight information. The molecular ion, MH+, was obtained at low orifice voltage (5-20V) and fragmentation at high orifice voltage (100-200V).
  • Preparative LC-MS-separation was performed on the same instrument. The LC conditions (C18 column 20 × 50 mm with a particle size of 5 µm) were linear gradient elution with water/acetonitrile/trifluoroacetic acid (80:20:0.05) to water/acetonitrile/trifluoroacetic acid (5:95:0.03) in 7 min at 22.7 mL/min. Fraction collection was performed by split-flow MS detection.
  • 1H NMR spectra were recorded at 500.13 MHz on a Bruker Avance DRX500 instrument or at 250.13 MHz on a Bruker AC 250 instrument. Deuterated chloroform (99.8%D) or dimethyl sulfoxide (99.9%D) were used as solvents. TMS was used as internal reference standard. Chemical shift values are expressed in ppm-values. The following abbreviations are used for multiplicity of NMR signals: s=singlet, d=doublet, t=triplet, q=quartet, qui=quintet, h=heptet, dd=double doublet, dt=double triplet, dq=double quartet, tt=triplet of triplets, m=multiplet. NMR signals corresponding to acidic protons are generally omitted. For column chromatography silica gel of type Kieselgel 60, 230-400 mesh ASTM was used. For ion-exchange chromatography (SCX, 1 g, Varian Mega Bond Elut®, Chrompack cat. No. 220776) was used. Prior use of the SCX-columns was pre-conditioned with 10% solution of acetic acid in methanol (3 mL).
  • The enantiomeric purity was measured using capillary electrophoresis. Capillary length 48,5 cm x 50µm I.D. at 30°C using a fixed current of 80µA. The buffer used was 25 mM sodium hydrogen phosphate pH 3.0 containing 4% (w/v) sulphated β-cyclodextrin. Detection was done using UV-spectrometer at 192 nm. Sample concentration was 500 µg/ml in methanol and injection was performed by pressure at 50 mbar for 5 seconds.
  • Alternatively, the enantiomeric purity was measured by chiral HPLC using a Gilson SF3 supercritical fluid chromatography system equipped with chiralcelOD columns (4.6 mm x 25 cm for analytical and 10 mm x 25 cm for preparative runs). The particle size in the columns was 10 µm. The column was eluted with carbondioxide - modifier (75:25). The modifier was 2-propanol with diethylamine (0.5%) and trifluoracetic acid (0.5%). The flow was 18.9 mL/min at 20 Mpa. Fraction collection was triggered by UV-detection (210 nM).
    • Preparation of intermediates Example 1 Synthesis of racemic 1-(3,4-Difluorophenyl)-3-oxa-bicyclo[3.1.0]hexan-2-one
  • (3,4-Difluorophenyl)acetic acid (52 g; 0.3 mol) was dissolved in N,N-dimethylformamid (200 mL). Potassium carbonate (61 g, 0.45 mol) was added and the mixture was stirred at room temperature (rt) for 15 min. Allyl bromide (47 g, 0.39 mol) was added and the suspension was stirred at room temperature for 20 h. The mixture was thrown into water (250 mL) and extracted with diethylether (2X 300 mL). The combined organic phases were washed with water (4 x 100 mL), dried (Magnesium sulphate) and evaporated in vacuo to give 64 g (3,4-Difluoro-phenyl)acetic acid allyl ester as a clear oil.
  • (3,4-Difluoro-phenyl)acetic acid allyl ester (64g) was dissolved in acetonitrile (400 mL) and 4-acetamidobenzenesulfonyl azide (p-ABSA, 87 g, 0.36 mol) was added and the mixture stirred at room temperature for 15 min. The mixture was then cooled to 0°C and 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene (DBU, 58.6 mL) was added dropwise at 0°C during 30 min. The mixture was allowed to warm up to rt (room temperature) and stirred at rt for 4-20 h (until TLC showed completion of reaction). Saturated ammonium chloride (500 mL) was added and the organic phase was separated from the water phase. The water phase was extracted with diethylether (3 x 200 mL) and the four combined organic phases were dried (Magnesium sulphate) and evaporated in vacuo. The resulting solid was extracted with a 50:50 mixture of diethylether/pentane (3 x 200 mL). The combined ether phases were evaporated in vacuo (keep temperature below 40°) and purified by flash column chromatography (silicagel, eluent: 10:90 mixture of diethylether/pentane). The yellow fractions were combined and evaporated in vacuo (keep temperature below 40°) to give 70 g diazo-(3,4-Difluoro-phenyl)acetic acid allyl ester.
  • Diazo-(3,4-Difluoro-phenyl)acetic acid allyl ester (70 g) was dissolved in dichloromethane (1000 mL) and added slowly during 36 h via a syringe pump (alternatively it is added dropwise via an addition funnel; 30 mL pr. hour) to a refluxing solution of rhodium (II) octanoate dimer (1.17 g, 1.5 mmol) in dichloromethane (200 mL). After all diazo compound has been added, the mixture is refluxed for another 30 min, then was evaporated in vacuo and crystallised by addition of cyclohexane (200 mL). This gave 30 g crystalline. Further 15 g was isolated from the motherliq. by repeated evaporation and crystallisation giving in total 45 g 1-(3,4-Difluoro-phenyl)-3-oxa-bicyclo[3.1.0]hexan-2-one.
  • The following compounds were prepared in a similar way:
    • 1 -(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-3-oxa-bicyclo[3.1.0]hexan-2-one
    • 1-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-oxa-bicyclo[3.1.0]hexan-2-one
    • 1 -(4-fluorophenyl)-3-oxa-bicyclo[3.1.0]hexan-2-one
    • 1-phenyl-3-oxa-bicyclo[3.1.0]hexan-2-one
    Example 2 Synthesis of (1S,5R)-1-(3,4-Dichlorophenyl)-3-oxa-bicyclo[3.1.0]hezan-2-one
  • A solution of 3,4-dichlorophenylacetonitrile (62 g, 332 mmol) in benzene (250 mL) was added slowly to a suspension of sodium amide (28.1 g, 720 mmol) in benzene (250 mL) at 0 °C under argon, and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 3 h. To the resulting mixture, a solution of (R)-epichlorohydrin (30.1 g, 288 mmol] in benzene (250 mL) was added at 0 °C during 45 minutes, and the whole was stirred at room temperature for 16 h. After the solvent was evaporated, EtOH (1250 mL) and 2 N NaOH (500 mL) were added to the residue, and the mixture was heated under reflux for 15 h and then acidified with 12 N HCl at 0°C (pH of the mixture was about 1). The resulting mixture was evaporated, and AcOEt (900 mL) was added to the residue. Insoluble salts were filtered off, and the filtrate was washed with brine, dried (Na2SO4), and evaporated. The residue was purified by column chromatography (silica gel; AcOEt/heptane, 20:80) to give the product as orange crystals (31.2 g, 39%). mp °C. [α]20 D = -69.5 (c 1.0, MeOH). 1 H-NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-d6) 1.38 (1 H, dd), 1.75 (1 H, dd,), 2.85 (1 H, ddd), 4.25 (1 H, d), 4.46 (1 H, dd), 7.45 (1 H, d), 7.65 (1 H, d), 7.75 (1 H, s),
  • The following compounds were prepared in a similar way:
    • (1S,5R)-1-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-oxa-bicyclo[3.1.0]hexan-2-one (28 g, 41%). mp °C. [α]20 D = -66.1 (c 1.0, MeOH). 1 H-NMR (500 MHz, CDCl3) 1.35 (1 H, dd), 1.60 (1 H, dd,), 2.55 (1 H, ddd), 4.25 (1 H, d), 4.40 (1 H, dd), 7.30-7.44 (5 H, m)
    • (1S,5R)-1-phenyl-3-oxa-bicyclo[3.1.0]hexan-2-one (36 g, 41%). mp 56-57°C. [α]20 D = -77.3 (c 1.0, MeOH). 1 H-NMR (500 MHz, CDCl3) 1.45 (1 H, dd), 1.65 (1 H, dd,), 2.55 (1 H, ddd), 4.30 (1 H, d), 4.45 (1 H, dd), 7.30-7.44 (5 H, m)
    • (1S,5R)-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-3-oxa-bicyclo[3.1.0]hexan-2-one [α]20 D = -63.9 - (c 1.0, MeOH).
    • (1S,5R)-1-(3,4-difluorophenyl-3-oxa-bicyclo[3.1.0]hexan-2-one [α]20 D -55.7 (c 1.0, MeOH).
    • (1S,5R)-1-(4-methylphenyl)-3-oxa-bicyclo[3.1.0]hexan-2-one
    • (1S,5R)-1-(4-methoxyphenyl)-3-oxa-bicyclo[3.1.0]hexan-2-one
    • (1S,5R)-1-(3-fluorophenyl)-3-oxa-bicyclo[3.1.0]hexan-2-one
    • (1S,5R)-1-(3-chlorophenyl)-3-oxa-bicyclo[3.1.0]hexan-2-one
    Example 3 (1S,2R)-2-Hydroxymethyl-1-phenyl-cyclopropanecarbozylic acid benzyl-methyl-amide
  • To a solution of (1S,5R)-1-phenyl-3-oxa-bicyclo[3.1.0]hexan-2-one (10.5 g, 60.0 mmol) in CH2Cl2 (200 mL) was added AlC13 (16.0 g, 120 mmol) and then the mixture was cooled to 0° C, and then benzyl methyl amine (240 mmol, as a 2.0M solution of benzyl methyl amine in THF) was added slowly. The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 24 h, and then the reaction was quenched with saturated aqueous NH4Cl. After addition of CH2Cl2 and H2O, the resulting mixture was partitioned. The organic layer was washed with 1N HCl and brine, dried (Na2SO4), evaporated, and purified by column chromatography (silica gel; AcOEt/hexane, 1:4) to give (1S,2R)-2-Hydroxymethyl-1-phenyl-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid benzyl-methyl-amide.
  • The following compounds were prepared in a similar way:
    • (1S,2R)-1-(4-Chlorophenyl)-2-hydroxymethyl-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid benzyl methyl amide;
    • (1S,2R)-1-(4-Fluorophenyl)-2-hydroxymethyl-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid benzyl methyl amide;
    • (1S,2R)-1-(3,4-Difluorophenyl)-2-hydroxymethyl-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid benzyl methyl amide;
    • (1S,2R)-1-(3,4-Dichlorophenyl)-2-hydroxymethyl-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid benzyl methyl amide;
    • (1S,2R)-2-Hydroxymethyl-1-phenyl-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid methyl (1-phenylethyl) amide;
    • (1S,2R)-1-(4-Chlorophenyl)-2-hydroxymethyl-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid methyl (1-phenylethyl) amide;
    • (1S,2R)-1-(4-Fluorophenyl)-2-hydroxymethyl-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid methyl (1-phenylethyl) amide;
    • (1S,2R)-1-(3,4-Difluorophenyl)-2-hydroxymethyl-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid methyl (1-phenylethyl) amide;
    • (1S,2R)-1-(3,4-Dichlorophenyl)-2-hydroxymethyl-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid methyl (1-phenylethyl) amide;
    • (1S,2R)-2-Hydroxymethyl-1-phenyl-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (4-fluorobenzyl) methyl amide;
    • (1S,2R)-1-(4-Chlorophenyl)-2-hydroxymethyl-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (4-fluorobenzyl) methyl amide;
    • (1S,2R)-1-(4-Fluorophenyl)-2-hydroxymethyl-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (4-fluorobenzyl) methyl amide;
    • (1S,2R)-1-(3,4-Difluorophenyl)-2-hydroxymethyl-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (4-fluorobenzyl) methyl amide;
    • (1S,2R)-1-(3,4-Dichlorophenyl)-2-hydroxymethyl-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (4-fluorobenzyl) methyl amide;
    • (1S,2R)-2-Hydroxymethyl-1-phenyl-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (2-chlorobenzyl) methyl amide;
    • (1S,2R)-1-(4-Chlorophenyl)-2-hydroxymethyl-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (2-chlorobenzyl) methyl amide;
    • (1S,2R)-1-(4-Fluorophenyl)-2-hydroxymethyl-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (2-chlorobenzyl) methyl amide;
    • (1S,2R)-1-(3,4-Difluorophenyl)-2-hydroxymethyl-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (2-chlorobenzyl) methyl amide;
    • (1S,2R)-1-(3,4-Dichlorophenyl)-2-hydroxymethyl-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (2-chlorobenzyl) methyl amide.
    Example 4 Esters of the formula VII
  • (1S,5R)-1-(3,4-Dichlorophenyl)-3-oxa-bicyclo[3.1.0]hexan-2-one (22.6 g) was dissolved in 33% HBr/glacial acetic acid and heated to 80°C for 5h, cooled to rt and thrown into 1300 ml ice-water and stirred at rt for 16 h. The precipitated acid was isolated by filtration, redissolved in toluene (1000 ml), dried over anhydrous magnesium sulphate and evaporated in vacuo to give 30 g of the intermediate (1S,2R)-2-(bromomethyl)-1-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)cyclopropanecarboxylic acid. The (1S,2R)-2-(bromomethyl)-1-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (30 g) was dissolved in anhydrous toluene (200 ml) and thionylchloride (18 ml) was added dropwise during 15 min. afterwhich the mixture was refluxed for 60 min. The reaction mixture was cooled to 5°C and methanol 1 (200 ml) was added and the mixture was allowed to warm to rt and stirred at rt for 2 h. The mixture was evaporated in vacuo, redissolved in diethylether, washed with saturated aqueous sodium hydrogen carbonate 25 ml), brine (25 ml), dried over anhydrous magnesium sulphate and evaporated in vacuo. To give the intermediate (1S,2R)-2-(bromomethyl)-1-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)cyclopropanecarboxylic acid methyl ester (27 g). The (1S,2R)-2-(bromomethyl)-1-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)cyclopropanecarboxylic acid methyl ester (15 mmol) was dissolved in acetonitrile (50 ml) and added to a mixture an amine of formula III (15 mmol) in a mixture of acetonitrile (50 ml) and ethyl diisopropylamine (30 mmol). The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 16 h, evaporated in vacuo, taken up in ethyl acetate (200 ml) and washed successively with saturated sodium hydrogen carbonate (50 ml) and brine (50 ml, dried over anhydrous magnesium sulphate and evaporated in vacuo to give the crude product ester of formula VII. Esters of formula VII were generally purified by precipitation of the oxalate salt from acetone. Other esters of formula VII could be prepared by this method by using the appropriately substituted (1S,5R)-1-aryl-3-oxa-bicyclo[3.1.0]hexan-2-one and amine of formula III.
    • Example 5 Acids of the formula VIII
  • The oxalate salt of (1S,2R)-2-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)cyclopropanecarboxylic acid methyl ester (10 mmol) was dissolved in methanol (80 mL) and water (20 ml). Lithium hydroxide (50 mmol) was added and the mixture was heated to reflux for 2 h. The mixture was cooled to rt and acidified to pH 3 with concentrated hydrochloric acid and the precipitated product (1S,2R)-2-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)cyclopropanecarboxylic acid hydrochloride was isolated by filtration and dried in vacuo.
  • Other acids of formula VIII could be prepared by this method by using the appropriately substituted esters of formula VII.
    • Example 7 1-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)-4-isocyanato-4-phenyl-piperidine
  • Triethylamine (5.02mL, 36.1mmol) and diphenylhosphoryl azide (4.24mL, 19.7mmol) are added to a solution of 1-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)-4-phenyl-4-piperidinecarboxylic acid (5.0g, 16.4mmol) in dry DMF (50mL) under nitrogen at ambient temperature. The mixture is stirred at ambient temperature for 2h, and then heated to 60°C for 3h. The mixture is slightly cooled and concentrated in vacuo. Water (75mL) is added to the remanence followed by extraction with ethyl acetate (2x75mL). Combined organic fractions are washed with brine (3x50mL), dried (MgSO4) and evaporated to dryness. The crude mixture is purified by silica gel chromatography eluting with ethyl acetate-heptane (1:4). This furnishes 4.8g (98%) of the wanted 1-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)-4-isocyanato-4-phenyl-piperidine as a clear oil. LC/MS (m/z) 203.2 (M-boc+H+); tR = 3.64 min. 1H NMR (CDCl3) 1.49 (s, 9H); 1.92 (bd, 2H); 2.02 (dt, 2H); 3.15 (bt, 2H); 4.17 (bs, 2H); 7.26 (dd, 1H); 7.39 (dt, 2H); 7.44 (dd, 2H).
    • Example 8 Piperidines of formula III where Q is (iii), and R12 is phenyl and R13 is a group -NHCONR20R21
  • 1-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)-4-isocyanato-4-phenyl-piperidine (1 mmol) was dissolved in anhydrous THF and an amine HNR20R21 (1 mmol) was added, the mixture was stirred at rt for 16 h, evaporated in vacuo and redissolved in a 50:50 mixture of dichloromethane and trifluoroacetic acid (10 ml) and stirred at rt for 60 min. The mixture was evaporated in vacuo to give the product piperidine as the trifluoroacetic acid salt.
    • Example 9 Piperidines of formula III where Q is (iii), and R12 is phenyl and R13 is H N-(4-Fluoro-2-piperidin-4-yl-phenyl)-acetamide hydrochloride
  • 2-Bromo-4-fluoro-acetanilide (3.00 g, 12.9 mmol) and pyridine-4-boronic acid (1.60 g, 12.9 mmol) are dissolved in 1,2-dimethoxyethane (70 ml).
  • Tetrakis(triphenylphosphine)palladium(0) (0.89 g, 0.77mmol) is added followed by sodium carbonate (4.10 g, 38.7 mmol) dissolved in water (25 ml). The mixture is heated at reflux for 3 hours, then stirred at ambient temperature overnight. Solvents are evaporated in vacuo, then ethyl acetate (50ml) and aqueous ammonia (dil.) are added to the remanence. The phases are separated and the aqueous layer is extracted with ethyl acetate (2 x 50 ml). The combined organic fractions are washed with brine (sat.), dried (MgSO4), filtered and concentrated by means of evaporation. The product is purified by silica gel chromatography eluting with ethyl acetate:heptane:triethylamine (70:30:4) followed by ethyl acetate:ethanol:triethylamine (90:10:4) to furnish 2.37 g (80%) of the title compound as an oil. LC/MS (m/z) 231.0 (M+H+). 1H NMR (CDCl3): 2.03 (t, 3H); 6.99 (dd, 1H); 7.11 (dt, 1H); 7.28 (dd, 2H); 7.65 (b, 1H, NH); 7.87 (dd, 1H); 8.62 (dd, 2H).
  • N-(4-Fluoro-2-pyridin-4-yl-phenyl)-acetamide (2.37 g, 10.3 mmol) is dissolved in methanol (40 ml), then platinum oxide (0.2 g, 0.88 mmol) and glacial acetic acid (10 ml) are added. The mixture is hydrogenated at a Parr apparatus (ambient temperature, 3 atm. H2) for 24 hours. The catalyst is removed by filtering through celite and the mixture is concentrated in vacuo. The remanence is redissolved in ethyl acetate (40 ml) and a small amount of water (10 ml) is added. The aqueous phase is made basic by addition of 2M NaOH and the layers are separated. The aqueous phase is extracted again with ethyl acetate (2 x 30 ml), then the combined organic fractions are washed with brine (sat.), dried (MgSO4), filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The hydrochloride salt is prepared by addition of ethereal HCl to a solution of the crude product in acetone. Precipitated material is filtered off and dried in vacuo to furnish 1.20 g (49%) of the title compound as a white crystalline material. LC/MS (m/z) 237.0 (M+H+). 1H NMR (DMSO-d 6): 1.82 (m, 4H); 2.07 (s, 3H); 2.95 (m, 2H); 3.03 (m, 1H); 3.36 (m, 2H); 7.00 (dd, 1H); 7.05 (dd, 1H); 7.28 (dd, 1H); 8.75-8.91 (bd, 1H, NH, HCl); 9.48 (s, 1H, NH).
    • Example 10 (4-Phenyl-piperidine-4-yl)-piperidin-1-yl-methanone
  • Under a stream of nitrogen N,N'-carbonyldiimidazole (3.62g, 22.3mmol) followed by piperidine (3.74g, 43.9mmol) is added to a solution of 1-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)-4-phenyl-4-piperidinecarboxylic acid (3.40g, 11.1mmol) in dry THF (50mL). The mixture is heated to reflux 18h, then cooled to ambient temperature and concentrated by means of evaporation. The remanence is redissolved in ethyl acetate (150mL) and successively washed with NaHCO3 (50mL, aq, sat.), dilute HCl (some) at pH 3, brine (50mL), then dried (MgSO4) and evaporated to dryness. This intermediate is purified by silica gel chromatography eluting with ethyl acetate-heptane-triethylamine (40:50:10) to furnish 1.01g (24%) of 4-phenyl-4-(piperidine-1-carbonyl)-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester as a white crystalline solid. This is dissolved in a mixture of MeOH (10mL) and THF (10mL), then 2M HCl in MeOH (5mL) is added and the mixture is stirred at ambient temperature for 2h. Water (20mL) is added and pH is adjusted to pH 12 by addition of 2M NaOH. The organic phase is separated and the aqueous phase is extracted with ethyl acetate (30mL). Combined organic fractions are dried (MgSO4) and concentrated in vacuo to furnish 0.47g (63%) of (4-Phenyl-piperidine-4-yl)-piperidin-1-yl-methanone. LC/MS (m/z) 273.1 (M+H+); tR = 1.65 min.
    • Example 11 Piperidines of formula III where Q is (iii), and R12 is phenyl and R13 is a group -CONR25R26
  • These piperidines were prepared by the method used in Example 9 using the appropriate amine HNR25R26 .
    • Example 12 Piperidines of formula III where Q is (iii), and R12 is phenyl and R13 is a group -NR14COR15
  • 1-Benzyl-4-phenyl-piperidin-4-ylamine (Bioorg.Med.Chem.Lett. 1996; 2307; Collect.Czech.Chem.Commun. 1987; 52, 2095; Synthesis 2000, 1709) (1 mmol) was dissolved in a mixture of anhydrous acetonitrile and ethyl diispropylamine (1, mmol). An acid chloride ClCOR15 (1 mmol) was added at 0°C and the mixture was stirred at 0° for 60 min. The mixture was evaporated in vacuo, taken up in ethyl acetate (50 ml), washed with saturated aqueous sodium hydrogen carbonate 25 ml), brine (25 ml), dried over anhydrous magnesium sulphate and evaporated in vacuo. The crude product was taken up in ethanol (50 ml), 5% palladium on charcoal (50 mg) was added and the mixture was hydrogenated for 24 h at 3 bar in a Parr hydrogenation apparatus. The mixture was filtrated and evaporated in vacuo to give the final piperidines.
    • Example 13 Piperidines of formula III where Q is (iii), and R12 is phenyl and R13 is a group -NR16COCONR17R18
  • 1-Benzyl-4-phenyl-piperidin-4-ylamine (Bioorg.Med.Chem.Lett. 1996; 2307; Collect.Czech.Chem.Commun. 1987; 52, 2095; Synthesis 2000, 1709) (1 mmol) was dissolved in a mixture of anhydrous acetonitrile and ethyl diispropylamine (1 mmol). An acid chloride ClCOCONR17R18 (1 mmol) was added at 0°C and the mixture was stirred at 0° for 60 min. The mixture was evaporated in vacuo, taken up in ethyl acetate (50 ml), washed with saturated aqueous sodium hydrogen carbonate 25 ml), brine (25 ml), dried over anhydrous magnesium sulphate and evaporated in vacuo. The crude product was taken up in ethanol (50 ml), 5% palladium on charcoal (50 mg) was added and the mixture was hydrogenated for 24 h at 3 bar in a Parr hydrogenation apparatus. The mixture was filtrated and evaporated in vacuo to give the final piperidines.
    • Example 14 Piperidines of formula III where Q is (iii), and R12 is phenyl and R13 is a group -NR22SO2R23
  • 1-Benzyl-4-phenyl-piperidin-4-ylamine (Bioorg.Med.Chem.Lett. 1996; 2307; Collect.Czech.Chem.Commun. 1987; 52, 2095; Synthesis 2000, 1709) (1mmol) was dissolved in a mixture of anhydrous acetonitrile and ethyl diispropylamine (1 mmol). A sulphonyl chloride ClSO2R23 (1 mmol) was added at 0°C and the mixture was stirred at 0° for 60 min. The mixture was evaporated in vacuo, taken up in ethyl acetate (50 ml), washed with saturated aqueous sodium hydrogen carbonate 25 ml), brine (25 ml), dried over anhydrous magnesium sulphate and evaporated in vacuo. The crude product was taken up in ethanol (50 ml), 5% palladium on charcoal (50 mg) was added and the mixture was hydrogenated for 24 h at 3 bar in a Parr hydrogenation apparatus. The mixture was filtrated and evaporated in vacuo to give the final piperidines.
    • Example 15 Aldehyde reagent of formula IV: For n=0: (1S,2R)-1-(3,4-Dichloro-phenyl)-2-formyl-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (4-fluoro-benzyl)-methyl-amide
  • (1S,2R)-1-(3,4-Dichloro-phenyl)-2-hydroxymethyl-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (4-fluorobenzyl)-methyl-amide (4.60 g, 12.0 mmol) is dissolved in acetone (240 ml) and IBX (10.1 g, 36.1 mmol) is added (IBX concentration 0.15M). The mixture is heated to reflux for 2 hours, then cooled to ambient temperature. The solids are filtered off and the filtrate concentrated in vacuo. The crude product is eluted through a short silica gel column with ethyl acetate:heptane (50:50). 3.57 g (78%) of the product is obtained as a highly viscuous light yellow oil. LC/MS (m/z) 380.0 (M+H+).
    • For n=2: (1S,2S)-1-(3,4-Dichloro-phenyl)-2-((E)-3-oxo-propenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (4-fluoro-benzyl)-methyl-amide
  • The isomer mixture (1S,2S)-1-(3,4-dichloro-phenyl)-2-((Z/E)-2-[1,3]dioxolan-2-yl-vinyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (4-fluoro-benzyl)-methyl-amide (845 mg, 1.88 mmol) is dissolved in acetone (20 ml), p'-toluenesulphonic acid (162 mg, 0.94 mmol) is added and the mixture is stirred at ambient temperature for 1.5 hours. The solvent is removed by means of evaporation and the crude mixture is purified by silica gel chromatography eluting with ethyl acetate:heptane (40:60) to obtain the wanted product as an oil. Yield 480 mg, 63%). LC/MS (m/z) 406.0 (M+H+).
    • Example 16 Alkylating reagents of formula II
  • For n=0: A suitable substituted (1S,2R)-2-hydroxymethyl-1-phenyl-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid amide (with R1-R26 and n as defined herein prepared as described in example 3) (1 mmol) was dissolved in dichloromethane (20 ml) and phosphorus tribromide (3 mmol) was added and the mixture stirred at rt for 3 h. Water (10 ml) was added and after stirring for 10 minutes the dichloromethane phase was isolated, dried over anhydrous magnesium sulphate and evaporated in vacuo to a clear oil which was used immediately without further purification
    • For n=1: (1S,2S)-2-(2-Chloro-ethyl)-1-(3,4-dichloro-phenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (4-fluoro-benzyl)-methyl-amide
  • (1S,2R)-1-(3,4-Dichloro-phenyl)-2-hydroxymethyl-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (4-fluoro.-benzyl)-methyl-amide (4.60 g, 12.0 mmol) is dissolved in acetone (240 ml) and IBX (10.1 g, 36.1 mmol) is added (IBX concentration 0.15M). The mixture is heated to reflux for 2 hours, then cooled to ambient temperature. The solids are filtered off and the filtrate concentrated in vacuo. The crude product is eluted through a short silica gel column with ethyl acetate:heptane (50:50). 3.57 g (78%) of the product is obtained as a highly viscuous light yellow oil. LC/MS (m/z) 380.0 (M+H+).
    Cloromethyltriphenylphosphonium chloride (2.74 g, 7.89 mmol) is suspended in dry THF (30 ml) under Argon and KHMDS (1.57 g, 7.89 mmol) is added portionwise at 0°C. The mixture is stirred at 0°C for 30 minutes, then allowed to warm to ambient temperature.
    (1S,2R)-1-(3,4-Dichloro-phenyl)-2-formyl-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (4-fluoro-benzyl)-methyl-amide (1.0 g, 2.63 mmol) dissolved in dry THF (10 ml) is added dropwise and the mixture is stirred at ambient temperature for 2.5 hours. The reaction mixture is then poured onto ice cold water (30 ml) and the layers are separated. The aqueous phase is extracted with ethyl acetate (2 x 30 ml) and the combined organic fractions are washed with brine (sat.), dried (MgSO4), filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The crude product is purified by silica gel chromatography, eluting with a gradient of ethyl acetate:heptane (0:100) - (50:50). The product is isolated as a Z/E isomer mixture. Yield 630 mg (57%). LC/MS (m/z) 412.1 (M+H+).
    The isomer mixture (1S,2S)-2-((Z/E)-2-chloro-vinyl)-1-(3,4-dichloro-phenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (4-fluoro-benzyl)-methyl-amide (170 mg, 0.41 mmol) is dissolved in dichloromethane (10 ml). N2 is bubbled through the solution for 15 minutes before adding Crabtree's catalyst (66.4 mg, 0.082 mmol, [(1,5-cyclooctadiene)(pyridine)(tricyclohexylphosphine)iridium(I) hexafluorophosphate]). The reaction mixture is hydrogenated at a Parr apparatus (ambient temperature, 3 atm. H2) for 4 hours. The solvent is removed by evaporation and the residue is subjected to silica gel chromatography eluting with ethyl acetate:heptane (20:80). 91 mg (53%) of the title compound is isolated as an oil. LC/MS (m/z) 415.9 (M+H+).
    • Example 17 (1S,2S)-1-(3,4-Dichloro-phenyl)-2-((Z/E)-2-[1,3]dioxolan-2-yl-vinyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (4-fluoro-benzyl)-methyl-amide
  • (1,3-Dioxolan-2-ylmethyl)triphenylphosphonium bromide (3.39 g, 7.89 mmol) is suspended in dry THF (50 ml) under Argon and KHMDS (1.57 g, 7.89 mmol) is added portionwise at 0°C. The mixture is stirred at 0°C for 30 minutes, then allowed to warm to ambient temperature. (1S,2R)-1 -(3,4-Dichloro-phenyl)-2-formyl-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (4-fluoro-benzyl)-methyl-amide (1.0 g, 2.63 mmol) dissolved in dry THF (10 ml) is added dropwise and the mixture is stirred at ambient temperature for 2 hours. The reaction mixture is then poured onto ice cold water (30 ml) and the layers are separated. The aqueous phase is extracted with ethyl acetate (3 x 30 ml) and the combined organic fractions are washed with brine (sat.), dried (MgSO4), filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The crude product is purified by silica gel chromatography, eluting with a gradient of ethyl acetate:heptane (20:80) - (50:50). The product is isolated as a Z/E isomer mixture. Yield 1.07 g (91%). LC/MS (m/z) 450.1 (M+H+).
    • Example 18 (1S,2S)-2-[(E)-3-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-yl)-propenyl]-1-(3,4-dichloro-phenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (4-fluoro-benzyl)-methyl-amide
  • N-(4-Phenyl-piperidin-4-yl)-acetamide (140 mg, 0.64 mmol) dissolved in ethanol (3 ml) is added to (1S,2S)-1-(3,4-Dichloro-phenyl)-2-((E)-3-oxo-propenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (4-fluoro-benzyl)-methyl-amide dissolved in ethanol (5 ml) followed by dropwise addition of sodium cyanoborohydride (1.0M in THF, 1.97 ml, 1.97 mmol) at 0°C. After complete addition the mixture is kept at ambient temperature for 2 hours. The reaction is quenched by addition of sodium bicarbonate (3ml, sat.) and the ethanol is removed by means of evaporation. Ethyl acetate (30 ml) is added to the remanence. The organic fraction is washed successively with sodium bicarbonate (10ml), sat.) and brine (10 ml, sat.), dried (MgSO4) and concentrated in vacuo. The residue is purified by silica gel chromatography eluting with ethyl acetate:ethanol:triethylamine (95:0:5) - (90:5:5) to furnish the title compound as an oil. Yield 81 mg (27%). LC/MS (m/z) 610.3 (M+H+).
    • Example 19 Preparation of the compounds of the invention
  • The compounds of the present invention were prepared by one of two general methods:
    • Method A: Alkylating a piperidine of formula III with an alkylating derivative of formula II:
  • For n= 0: A suitable substituted (1S,2R)-2-hydroxymethyl-1-phenyl-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid amide (1 mmol) was dissolved in dichloromethane (20 ml) and phosphorus tribromide (3 mmol) was added and the mixture stirred at rt for 3 h. Water (10 ml) was added and after stirring for 10 minutes the dichloromethane phase was isolated, dried over anhydrous magnesium sulphate and evaporated in vacuo to a clear oil which was used immediately without further purification by dissolving in anhydrous acetonitile (10 ml) and added to a mixture of a piperidine of formula III (I mmol), and ethyl diisopropyl amine (1.3 mmol) in acetonitrile (10 mL) and the mixture was heated to 85 °C for 3 h. The mixture was cooled to room temperature and evaporated in vacuo. The product was purified by chromatography either on silicagel using as eluent ethylacetate/triethylamine (99:1) or by purified by HPLC.
  • Fractions containing the product were pooled and evaporated in vacuo and characterised by HPLC-UV-ELSD-MS. The measured HPLC-retention time, the measured molecular mass and UV- and ELSD-purities are shown in Table 1.
    • For n= 1: (1S,2S)-2-[2-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-yl)-ethyl]-1-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (4-fluoro-benzyl)-methyl-amide:
  • (1S,2S)-2-(2-Chloro-ethyl)-1-(3,4-dichloro-phenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (4-fluorobenzyl)-methyl-amide (91 mg, 0.22 mmol) is dissolved in acetonitrile (10 ml). Potassium iodide (73 mg, 0.44 mmol), potassium carbonate (91 mg, 0.66 mmol) and N-(4-Phenyl-piperidin-4-yl)-acetamide hydrochloride (67 mg, 0.26 mmol) are added. The reaction mixture is heated to reflux for 72 hours, then cooled to ambient temperature and concentrated in vacuo. The remanence is redissolved in ethyl acetate (15 ml), washed with water (10 ml), brine (10 ml), then dried over MgSO4, filtered and concentrated to an oil. The product is filtered through a plug of silica gel eluting with ethyl acetate:heptane:triethylamine (50:50:5) followed by ethyl acetate:ethanol:triethylamine (80:20:5) to furnish 70 mg (54%) of the title compound. LC/MS (m/z) 596.3 (M+H+).
    • Method B: Reacting an amine of formula VI with an acid of formula VIII by the use of an activating reagent or a coupling reagent:
  • (1S,2R)-2-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-(3,4-dichlorophenyl) cyclopropanecarboxylic acid hydrochloride (0.05 mmol) was dissolved in anhydrous DMF. Ethyl diisopropylamine (0.15 mmol), benzylamine (0.075 mmol), dimethylaminopyridine (0.05 mmol) and BOP (benzotriazol-1-yloxytris(dimethylamino)phosphonium hexafluorophosphate 0.1 mmol) were added and the mixture stirred at rt for 2 h. The reaction mixture was evaporated in vacuo and the product purified by HPLC. Fractions containing the product were pooled and evaporated in vacuo and characterised by HPLC-UV-ELSD-MS. The measured HPLC-retention time, the measured molecular mass and UV-and ELSD-purities are shown in table 1.
    • Method C Reducing an amine of formula IX: For n= 2: (1S,2R)-2-[3-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-yl)-propyl]-1-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (4 fluoro-benzyl)-methyl amide:
  • (1S,2S)-2-[(E)-3-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-yl)-propenyl]-1-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (4-fluoro-benzyl)-methyl-amide (65 mg, 0.11 mmol) is dissolved in dichloromethane (10 ml). N2 is bubbled through the solution for 15 minutes before adding Crabtree's catalyst (17.7 mg, 0.022 mmol, [(1,5-cyclooctadiene)(pyridine)(tricyclohexylphosphine)iridium(I) hexafluorophosphate]). The reaction mixture is hydrogenated at a Parr apparatus (ambient temperature, 3 atm. H2) for 3 hours. The solvent is removed by evaporation and the residue is subjected to silica gel chromatography eluting with ethyl acetate:ethanol:triethylamine (95:0:5) - (85:10:5). Evaporation from heptane furnishes the title compound as a white solid. Yield 25 mg (38%). LC/MS (m/z) 610.3 (M+H+).
    • The following compounds were made by the methods indicated in the table. Analytical data are shown in table 1.
  • compound M+H+ RT min. UV-purity (%) ELSD-purity (%) Synthesis method
    1a 564,2 2,5 98.49 97.90 A
    2a 578,5 2,7 41.8 99.2 A
    7a 550,2 2,5 97.87 99.93 A
    9a 481,3 2,3 92.92 100 A
    10a 557,1 2,6 75.95 99.33 A
    12a 530,2 2,2 95.68 99.83 A
    13a 584,3 2,5 97.25 99.47 A
    14a 544,1 2,7 93.6 99.8 A
    15a 515,2 2,4 72.36 99.83 A
    18a 546,4 2,4 96.39 99.87 A
    19a 560,3 2,3 90.62 100 A
    21a 514,2 2,4 99.42 99.84 A
    22a 528,4 2,2 96.9 99.8 A
    24a 575,1 2,2 97.43 99.74 A
    26a 562 2,3 96.58 99.84 A
    28a 533,1 2,5 99.44 100 A
    31a 586,2 2,4 97.17 100 A
    33a 604,4 2,3 93.68 99.44 A
    36a 618,2 2,4 92.3 99.95 A
    37a 549,2 2,8 100 99.34 A
    39a 578,3 2,4 99.62 98.43 A
    40a 632,4 2,5 100 99.77 A
    41a 592,2 2,9 99.11 98.91 A
    42a 568,5 2,5 99.3 99.97 A
    43a 602,3 2,5 87 99.68 A
    44a 548,3 2,7 94.96 99.24 A
    45a 564,1 2,5 96.864 98.061 A
    46a 618,2 2,4 97.35 99.74 A
    47a 580,4 2,8 93.59 98.34 A
    49a 562,2 2,5 98.65 99.69 A
    50a 580,5 2,4 94.44 99.91 A
    51a 598 2,4 92.14 99.97 A
    52a 654,3 2,5 96.76 99.82 A
    53a 614,1 2,8 92.98 98.17 A
    55a 2,6 99.79 99.89 B
    56a 2,7 95.24 99.87 B
    57a 614,1 2,79 100 99.96 A
    58a 610,3 2,45 58.47 99.76 A
    59a 2,51 A
    60a 2,31 A
    61a 2,31 A
    62a 579,7 2,5 58,47 99,76 A
    63a 593,1 2,8 43,8 99,7 A
    66a 496,4 2,1 97,5 100 A
    67a 632,6 2,9 98,56 99,24 A
    69a 568,3 2,5 79,36 99,97 A
    70a 499,3 2,4 96,75 99,88 A
    72a 546,4 2,3 72,08 99,94 A
    73a 517,2 2,4 99,56 99,88 A
    75a 535,2 2,4 87,78 98,21 A
    77a 582,5 2,6 98,18 99,36 A
    78a 549,3 2,6 95,56 99,92 A
    80a 548,3 2,3 97,01 99,9 A
    81a 602,3 2,6 91,01 98,89 A
    82a 566,3 2,3 96,79 99,89 A
    83a 620,3 2,7 96,06 98,97 A
    86a 563 2,8 75,93 99,76 B
    87a 553,3 2,4 100 99,92 B
    88a 536,1 1,9 97,04 97,15 B
    89a 578,2 2,1 98,94 98,53 B
    90a 508,1 0,3 100 97,06 A
    91a 506,2 2,2 100 96,9 A
    92a 560,3 2,8 100 95,22 A
    93a 488,4 0,2 100 94,2 A
    94a 454,3 2,0 100 93,98 A
    95a 542,3 2,8 100 90,31 A
    96a 526,4 2,67 99,68 94,67 A
    97a 550,2 2,4 75,05 100 B
    99a 608,5 2,6 72 99,96 B
    100a 586,3 2,4 85,68 100 B
    100a 620,2 2,6 76,84 100 B
    102a 550,2 2,4 81,65 96,17 B
    103a 2,3 79,033 95,204 A
    104a 2,5 96,808 99,264 A
    105a 2,4 89,646 99,617 A
    106a 2,4 100 97,591 A
    107a 2,3 91,596 99,140 A
    108a 2,3 89,427 99,205 A
    109a 2,4 90,019 99,287 A
    110a 2,2 83,676 99,134 A
    111a 515,3 2,2 100,0 96,5 A
    112a 565,1 2,5 88,545 92,457 A
    113a 529,3 2,2 93,664 99,867 A
    114a 581,2 2,5 96,751 99,232 B
    115a 543,3 2,3 95,946 98,700 B
    116a 593,1 2,6 95,664 99,544 A
    117a 550,2 2,4 80,435 98,991 A
    118a 602,2 2,6 85,679 99,662 A
    119a 530 2,5 86,245 98,629 A
    120a 580,4 2,6 79,450 99,148 A
    121a 593,2 2,6 78,272 98,414 A
    122a 543,3 2,4 98,860 98,734 A
    123a 596.3 2,4 77,0 99,2 A
    124a 610.3 2,5 82,4 98,8 C
    125a 600,2 2,5 73,000 98,462 B
    126a 542,4 2,5 90,187 98,575 A
    127a 582,3 2,5 100 96,845 A
    128a 519,9 2,3 84,144 95,282 A
    129a 532,3 2,3 80,554 99,653 A
    130a 557,2 2,4 100 97,176 B
    132a 614,3 2,3 80,554 99,653 B
    • Example 20 Receptor binding assay (Ki)
  • The binding assay is based on previously described methods (Chung FZ et al: Mol Pharmacol. 1995 48 p711-6 and Sarau HM et al: J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 1997 281 p1303-11).
    • Membrane preparation:
  • Membranes were isolated from baby hamster kidney (BHK) cells stably expressing the human NK1 or NK3 receptors or from Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells stably expressing the human NK2 receptor. 24 hours before harvesting, the BHK cells were treated with trichostatin A (TSA) to increase expression. The cells were washed twice with icecold phosphate-buffered saline without Mg2+, Ca2+ and Sodium bicarbonate (PBS). The cells were scraped of in 10 ml PBS and centrifuged for 3 min at 4°C and 1500 g. The supernatant was discarded and the pellet was resuspended in 10 ml of 15 mM Tris-HCl pH 7,5 buffer containing 2 mM MgCl2, 0,3 mM EDTA, 1 mM EGTA (buffer A) and subsequently Dounce homogenised. (For the NK1 receptor containing membranes an extra step with 5 min centrifugation at 4°C and 1500 g followed by resuspension of the pellet in 10 ml buffer A was included to enrich the membrane preparation). The suspension was centrifuged for 25 min at 4°C and 40000 g. The supernatant was discarded, the pellet was washed with 10 ml buffer A and the suspension was centrifuged for 25 min at 4°C and 40000 g. The supernatant was discarded and the pellet was resuspended in 7,5 mM Tris-HCl pH 7,5 containing 12,5 mM MgCl2, 0,3 mM EDTA, 1 mM EGTA and 250 nM sucrose, frozen in liquid nitrogen and stored at -80 °C.
    • Competition binding assay:
  • For the NK3 binding assay, membranes were incubated with 0,1 nM 125I-eledoisin in 50 mM Tris pH 7.4 buffer containing 3 mM MnCl2, 40µg/ml bacitracin, 2µg/ml chymostatin, 2µM phosphoramidon, 4µg/ml leupeptin, 0,02% bovine serum albumin (BSA) and selected concentrations of compounds for 60 min at 25 °C.
  • For the NK1 and NK2 binding assay, the membranes were incubated with 0,1 nM 125I-substance P or 0,1 nM 125I-NKA, respectively in 50 mM Tris pH 7.4 buffer containing 3 mM MnCl2 and 0,02% BSA and selected concentrations of compounds for 60 min at 25 °C. The assay was terminated by rapid filtration through GF/C UniFilters presoaked with 1% BSA (NK3 binding assay) or 0,1% polyethyleneimine (NK1 and NK2 binding assays) using a Tomtec harvester. The filters were washed 3 times with ice-cold 50 mM Tris pH 7,4, dried and added scintillant before counting in a Wallac scintillation counter.
  • For each compound, the IC50 value (the concentration required to obtain 50% inhibition of the radio ligand) was determined from concentration-response curves and used to calculate the apparent affinity Ki from the equation Ki= IC50/(1+L/Kd), where L is the concentration of radioligand. Kd is the dissociation constant of the radioligand and was determined from saturation binding experiments.
  • When tested as described above the compounds 1a-56a all had an apparent NK3 affinity (Ki) of less than 50 nM, the compounds 57a-64a all had an apparent NK3 affinity (Ki) of less than 1000 nM; the compounds 65a-85a all had an apparent NK3 affinity (Ki) of less than 200 nM and the compounds 86a-132a all had an apparent NK3 affinity (Ki) of less than 1000 nM.
  • Example 21 The Fluorometric Imaging Plate Reader (FLIPR) assay: The compounds were analysed for efficacy profile in FLIPR assays similar to assays described in Jerman, JC et al: Eur J Pharmacol. 2001, 414, p23-30. BHK cells (cf. Example 20) stably expressing the human NK3 receptor were seeded in 100 µl media in black walled clear-base 96-wells plates (Costar) aiming at a confluency of 95-100% at the day of assay. The assay was performed according to the calcium assay kit (Molecular Devices). Briefly, the calcium assay reagent was dissolved in Hanks BSS (HBSS) buffer, pH 7,4 containing 20 mM Hepes and 2,5 mM probinicid. An equal volume (100 µl) of the calcium assay reagent solution was added to the wells and the plates were incubated for 60 min at 37°C. The plates were subsequently placed in the FLIPR for examination of fluorescence.
  • Compounds were diluted in HBSS buffer containing 20 mM Hepes prior to test. For test of agonist activity 50 µl of compound was added to the wells and the plates were analysed for 3 minutes in the FLIPR. For test of antagonist activity, 25 µl of compound was added to the wells and the plate was analysed for a 5 minute period. Subsequently, the wells were added 25 µl of an EC85 (final concentration) of NKB (app. 1 nM) previously determined from a dose-response curve with NKB. The plates were subsequently read for 3 minutes before termination. As controls, selected wells on all plates were added only 100 nM of the NK3 receptor agonist NKB or 2 µM of the calcium ionophor ionomycin. The maximal increase in fluorescence over background following each ligand addition was determined and analysed.
  • Compounds 1a-7a, 12a-21a, 28a, 33a, 36a-39a, 42a, 44a, 45a, 51a-53a, 62a, 63a were tested in the FLIPR assay described above and inhibited the NKB-mediated activation of the NK3 receptor expressed in the BHK cells. The results showed that the compounds are NK3 receptor antagonists.

Claims (92)

  1. A compound of formula I
    Figure imgb0014
     or a salt thereof, such as a pharmaceutically acceptable salt;
    wherein
    R 1-R5 are independently selected from hydrogen, halogen, cyano, nitro, C1-6-alk(en/yn)yl, C3-8-cycloalk(en)yl, C3-8-cycloalk(en)yl-C1-6-alk(en/yn)yl, amino, C1-6-alk(en/yn)ylamino, di-(C1-6-alk(en/yn)yl)amino, C1-6-alk(en/yn)ylcarbonyl, aminocarbonyl, C1-6-alk(en/yn)ylaminocarbonyl, di-(C1-6-alk(en)yl)aminocarbonyl, hydroxy, C1-6-alk( enlyn)yloxy, C1-6-alk(en/yn)ylthio, halo-C1-6-alk(en/yn)yl, halo-C1-6-alk(en/yn)ylsulfonyl, halo-C1-6-alk(en/yn)ylsulfanyl, and C1-6-alk(en/yn)ylsulfonyl;
    - R6 is selected from hydrogen, halo-C1-6-alk(en/yn)yl, C1-6-alk(en/yn)yl, C3-8-cycloalk(en)yl, and C3-8-cycloalk(en)yl-C1-6-alk(en/yn)yl ;
    - R7 is an aryl or a heteroaryl; or R7 is a group aryl-CR8R9-, wherein R8 and R9 are independently selected from hydrogen, C1-6-alk(en/yn)yl, C3-8-cycloalk(en)yl, and C3- 8-cycloalk(en)yl-C1-alk(en/yn)yl;
    - n is 0, 1, or 2;
    Q is selected from (i)-(iii), the arrow indicating the attachment point:
    Figure imgb0015
     wherein R10 is an aryl;
    wherein R11 is selected from an aryl or benzyl, halo-C1-6-alk(en/yn)ylsulfonyl, C1-6-alk(en/yn)ylsulfonyl, arylsulphonyl, arylacyl, C1-6-alk(en/yn)ylcarbonyl, aminocarbonyl, C1-6-alk(en/yn)ylaminocarbonyl, and di-(C1-6-alk(en)yl)aminocarbonyl;
    wherein R12 is an aryl;
    wherein R13 is hydrogen, hydroxy, cyano, or amino, or one of the following groups:
    - NHC1-6-alk(en/yn)yl;
    - N(C1-6-alk(en/yn)yl)2;
    - NR14COR15, wherein R14 is hydrogen or C1-6-alk(en/yn)yl and R15 is C1-6-alk(en/yn)yl or C3-8-cycloalk(en)yl;
    - NR16COCONR17R18, wherein R16 is hydrogen or C1-6-alk(en/yn)yl and R17 and R18 are selected independently from hydrogen, C1-6-alk(en/yn)yl and C3-8-cycloalkyl; or R17 and R18 together with the nitrogen to which they are attached form a piperidinyl, piperazinyl or morpholinyl, wherein said piperidinyl, piperazinyl and morpholinyl are optionally substituted with a C1-6-alk(en/yn)yl;
    - N19CONR20R21, wherein R19 is hydrogen or C1-6-alk(en/yn)yl and R20 and R21 are selected independently from hydrogen and C1-6-alk(en/yn)yl or C3-8-cycloalkyl; or R20 and R21 together with the nitrogen to which they are attached form a piperidinyl, piperazinyl or morpholinyl, wherein said piperidinyl, piperazinyl and morpholinyl is optionally substituted with a C1-6-alk(en/yn)yl;
    - NR22SO2R23, wherein R22 is hydrogen, C1-6-alk(en/yn)yl or C3-8-cycloalkyl and R23 are amino, C1-6-alk(en/yn)yl or C3-8-cycloalkyl;
    - COR24, wherein R24 is C1-6-alk(en/yn)yl or C3-8-cycloalkyl;
    - CONR25R26, wherein R25 and R26 independently are selected from hydrogen, C1-6-alk(en/yn)yl and C3-8-cycloalkyl; or R25 and R26 together with the nitrogen to which they are attached form a piperidinyl, piperazinyl or morpholinyl, wherein said piperidinyl, piperazinyl and morpholinyl is optionally substituted with a C1-6-alkyl;
    - NHCOOR42, wherein R42 is C1-6-alk(en/yn)yl or C3-8-cycloalk(en)yl; ,
    wherein aryl and heteroaryl when substituted is substituted with one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of halogen, cyano, nitro, C1-6-alkyl e.g methyl, C1-6-alkylamino, di-(C1-6-alkyl)amino, C1-6-alkylcarbonyl, aminocarbonyl, C1-6-alkylaminocarbonyl, di-(C1-6-alkyl)aminocarbonyl, C1-6-alkoxy, C1-6-alkylthio, alkylsulphonyl, hydroxy, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethylsulfonyl, C1-6-alkylcarbonylamino and C1-6-alkylcarbonylC1-6-alkylamino.
  2. The compound or salt of claim 1, wherein R1-R5 are independently selected from hydrogen, halogen, cyano, C1-6-alk(en/yn)yl, C3-8-cycloalk(en)yl, C3-8-cycloalk(en)yl-C1-6-alk(en/yn)yl, C1-6-alk(en/yn)yloxy, C1-6-alk(en/yn)ylthio, and halo-C1-6-alkyl.
  3. The compound or salt of claim 1, wherein R1-R5 is hydrogen.
  4. The compound or salt of claim 1, wherein R1-R5 are independently selected from hydrogen and halogen.
  5. The compound or salt of claim 1, wherein R1-R5 are independently selected from hydrogen and chloro.
  6. The compound or salt of claim 1, wherein R1-R5 are independently selected from hydrogen and fluoro.
  7. The compound or salt of claim 5, wherein R2 is chloro and R3 is hydrogen.
  8. The compound or salt of claim 5, wherein R2 and R3 are chloro.
  9. The compound or salt of claim 6, wherein R2 is fluoro and R3 is hydrogen.
  10. The compound or salt of claim 6, wherein R2 and R3 are fluoro.
  11. The compound or salt of any of claims 7-10, wherein R1, R4 and R5 are hydrogen.
  12. The compound or salt of any of claims 1-11, wherein R6 is selected from hydrogen, C1-6-alkyl, C3-8-cycloalkyl, and C3-8-cycloalkyl-C1-6-alkyl.
  13. The compound or salt of any of claims 1-11, wherein R6 is selected from hydrogen and C1-6-alk(en/yn)yl.
  14. The compound or salt of any of claims 1-11, wherein R6 is hydrogen.
  15. The compound or salt of of any of claims 1-11, wherein R6 is a C1-6-alkyl.
  16. The compound or salt of claim 15, wherein R6 is methyl.
  17. The compound or salt of any of claims 1-16, wherein R7 is the group [aryl-CR8R9-].
  18. The compound or salt of claim 17, wherein R8 and R9 are independently selected from hydrogen, C1-6-alkyl, C3-8-cycloalkyl and C3-8-cycloalkyl-C1-6-alkyl.
  19. The compound or salt of claim 17, wherein R8 and R9 are independently selected from hydrogen and C1-6-alkyl.
  20. The compound or salt of claim 17, wherein R8 and R9 are independently selected from hydrogen and methyl.
  21. The compound. or salt of claim 17, wherein R8 and R9 are hydrogen.
  22. The compound or salt of claim 17, wherein R8 is hydrogen and R9 is methyl.
  23. The compound of any of claims 1-16, wherein R7 is an aryl or a heteroaryl.
  24. The compound or salt of any of claims 17-23, wherein said aryl or heteroaryl is monocyclic or bicyclic.
  25. The compound or salt of any of claims 17-24, wherein said aryl or heteroaryl is unsubstituted.
  26. The compound or salt of any of claims 17-24, wherein said aryl or heteroaryl is substituted with one or more substituents.
  27. The compound or salt of claim 26, wherein said aryl or heteroaryl is substituted with one or more substituents selected from halogen, cyano, nitro, C1-6-alkyl, C1-6-alkylamino, di-(C1-6-alkyl)amino, C1-6-alkylcarbonyl, aminocarbonyl, C1-6-alkylaminocarbonyl, di-(C1-6-alkyl)aminocarbonyl,
    C1-6-alkylcarbonylamino, C1-6-alkylcarbonyl C1-6-alkylamino, C1-6-alkoxy, C1-6-alkylthio, hydroxy, trifluoromethyl and trifluoromethylsulfonyl.
  28. The compound or salt of any of claims 24-27, wherein R7 is the group aryl-CR8R9-as defined in any of claims 17-22, and the aryl of said group aryl-CR8R9- is as defined in any of claims 24-27.
  29. The compound or salt of claim 28, wherein said aryl is an optionally substituted phenyl.
  30. The compound or salt of claim 28 or 29, wherein said aryl is di-substituted with a halogen.
  31. The compound of claim 17, wherein R7 is the group aryl-CR8R9- and R7 is selected from benzyl or halogen substitued benzyl.
  32. The compound or salt of any of claims 1-31, wherein Q is (i).
  33. The compound or salt of claim 32, wherein R10 is an aryl as defined in any of claims 24-30.
  34. The compound or salt of any of claims 1-31, wherein Q is (ii).
  35. The compound or salt of claim 34, wherein R11 is selected from an optionally substituted aryl or optionally substituted benzyl, trifluoromethylsulfonyl, C1-6-alkylsulfonyl, arylsulphonyl, arylacyl, C1-6-alkylcarbonyl, aminocarbonyl, C1-6-alkylaminocarbonyl and di-(C1-6-alkyl)aminocarbonyl).
  36. The compound or salt of claim 34 or 35, wherein R11 is an aryl as defined in any of claims 24-30.
  37. The compound or salt of claim 34, wherein R11 is an arylsulphonyl or an arylcarbonyl, wherein the aryl part of said arylsulphonyl or arylacyl is as defined in any of claims 24-30.
  38. The compound or salt of claim 37, wherein Q is (iii).
  39. The compound or salt of claim 38, wherein R12 is an aryl as defined in any of claims 24-30.
  40. The compound or salt of claim 38, wherein R12 is a phenyl.
  41. The compound or salt of claim 38, wherein R12 is a phenyl substituted with one or more substituents.
  42. The compound or salt of claim 39 or 41, wherein said aryl in R12 is substituted with one or more substituents selected from a halogen and trifluoromehtyl.
  43. The compound or salt of claim 38, wherein R12 is 4-chloro-3-trifluromethyl-phenyl.
  44. The compound or salt of any of claims 38-43, wherein R13 is selected from hydroxy, -NR14COR15, -NR16COCONR17R18, -NR19CONR20R21, -NR22SO2R23, -COR24, and - CONR25R26.
  45. The compound or salt of any of claims 38-43, wherein R13 is hydroxy.
  46. The compound or salt of claim 45, wherein R12 is as defined in claim 43.
  47. The compound or salt of any of claims 38-43, wherein R13 is -NR14COR15.
  48. The compound or salt of claim 47, wherein R14 is hydrogen or C1-6-alkyl and R15 is C1-6-alkyl or C3-8-cycloalkyl.
  49. The compound or salt of claim 47 or 48, wherein R14 is hydrogen or methyl.
  50. The compound or salt of any of claims 47-49, wherein R15 is methyl.
  51. The compound or salt of claim 47, wherein R14 is hydrogen and R15 is methyl; or R14 and R15 is methyl.
  52. The compound or salt of any of claims 38-43, wherein R13 is -NR16COCONR17R18.
  53. The compound or salt of claim 52, wherein R16 is hydrogen or C1-6-alkyl and wherein R17 and R18 are selected independently from hydrogen, C1-6-alkyl and C3-8-cycloalkyl.
  54. The compound or salt of claim 52, wherein R16 is hydrogen or C1-6-alkyl and wherein R17 and R18 together with the nitrogen to which they are attached form a piperidinyl, piperazinyl or morpholinyl, wherein said piperidinyl, piperazinyl and morpholinyl are optionally substituted with a C1-6-alkyl.
  55. The compound or salt of claim 52, wherein said R16, R17 and R18 are hydrogen; R16 is C1-6-alkyl, and R17 and R18 are hydrogen; R16 and R17 are hydrogen and R18 is C1-6-alkyl; R16 and R17 are C1-6-alkyl and R18 is hydrogen; R16 is hydrogen and R17 and R18 are C1-6-alkyl; or R16, R17 and R18 are C1-6-alkyl.
  56. The compound or salt of any of claims 38-43, wherein R13 is -NR19CONR20R21.
  57. The compound or salt of claim 56, wherein R19, R20 and R21 are independently selected from hydrogen, C1-6-alkyl and C3-8-cycloalkyl.
  58. The compound or salt of claim 56, wherein R19, R20 and R21 are independently selected from hydrogen and C1-6-alkyl.
  59. The compound or salt of claim 56, wherein R19 is a C1-6-aklyl and R20 and R21 are hydrogen; R19 and R20 are hydrogen and R21 is a C1-6-alkyl; R19 and R20 are independently selected from a C1-6-alkyl and R21 is H; R19 is H, and R20 and R21 are independently selected from a C1-6-alkyl; or R19, R20 and R21 are independently selected from a C1-6-alkyl.
  60. The compound or salt of claim 58, wherein R19, R20 and R21 are hydrogen.
  61. The compound or salt of any of claims 56-59, wherein R19 is H.
  62. The compound or salt of any of claims 56-59, wherein R20 and R21 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, Me, Et, Bu, and i-Pr.
  63. The compound or salt of claim 62, wherein R19 is H.
  64. The compound or salt of any of claims 38-43, wherein R13 is -NR22 SO2 R23.
  65. The compound or salt of claim 64, wherein R22 is hydrogen, a C1-6-alkyl or C3-8-cycloalkyl and R23 is amino, C1-6-alkyl or C3-8-cycloalkyl.
  66. The compound or salt of claim 64 or 65, wherein R22 is hydrogen and R23 is a C1-6-alkyl or R22 and R23 are independently selected from a C1-6-alkyl.
  67. The compound or salt of any of claims 64-65, wherein R22 is hydrogen.
  68. The compound or salt of any of claims 64-67, wherein R23 is methyl.
  69. The compound or salt of any of claims 64-66, wherein R22 and R23 are methyl.
  70. The compound or salt of any of claims 64-66, wherein R22 is hydrogen and R23 is methyl.
  71. The compound or salt of any of claims 38-43, wherein R13 is -COR24.
  72. The compound or salt of claim 71, wherein R24 is a C1-6-alkyl.
  73. The compound or salt of claim 71, wherein R24 is methyl.
  74. The compound or salt of any of claims 38-43, wherein R13 is -CONR25R26.
  75. The compound or salt of claim 74, wherein R25 and R26 are independently selected from hydrogen, C1-6-alkyl and C3-8-cycloalkyl.
  76. The compound or salt of claim 74, wherein R25 and R26 are independently selected from hydrogen and methyl.
  77. The compound or salt of claim 74, wherein R25 and R26 together with the nitrogen to which they are attached form a piperidinyl, piperazinyl or morpholinyl, wherein said piperidinyl, piperazinyl and morpholinyl are optionally substituted with a C1-6-alkyl.
  78. The compound or salt of claim 74, wherein R25 and R26 together with the nitrogen to which they are attached form a piperidinyl, wherein said piperidinyl is optionally substituted with a C1-6-alkyl.
  79. The compound or salt of claim 1, wherein R1-5 is as defined in any of claims 3-11, and R6 is as defined in claim 13.
  80. The compound or salt of claim 1, wherein R1-5 is as defined in any of claims 3-11, and R6 is as defined in claim 15.
  81. The compound or salt of claim 1, wherein R6 is as defined in claim 14 or 15, e.g. R6 is methyl and R7 is as defined in claim 31.
  82. The compound or salt of any of claims 1-82, wherein n=0.
  83. The compound of or salt of any of the preceding claims, wherein the compound of formula I is the (1S,2R)-isomer, i.e. said compound with absolute configuration as shown in formula IA.
    Figure imgb0016
  84. The compound or salt of any of claims 1-82, wherein the compound of formula I is a racemic mixture comprising the (1S,2R)-isomer as defined in claim 83.
  85. The compound or salt of any of claims 1-82, wherein the compound of formula I is a mixure of stereoisomeres of said compound, which mixture comprises the (1S,2R)-isomer as defmed in claim 83.
  86. The compound or salt of claim 1 selected from:
    1a. (1S,2R)-2-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid benzyl-methyl-amide;
    2a; (1S,2R)-2-[4-(Acetyl-methyl-amino)-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl]-1-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid benzyl-methyl-amide;
    7a. (1S,2R)-1-Phenyl-2-[4-phenyl-4-(piperidine-l-carbonyl)-piperidin--ylmethyl]-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid benzyl-methyl-amide;
    9a. (1S,2R)-2-(4-Acetyl-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-phenyl-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid benzyl-methyl-amide;
    10a. (1S,2R)-2-[4-(4-Chloro-3-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-4-hydroxy-piperidin-1-ylmethyl]-1-phenyl-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid benzyl-methyl-amide;
    12a. (1S,2R)-2-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-(4-chloro-phenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid benzyl-methyl-amide;
    13a. (1S,2R)-1-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-2-[4-phenyl-4-(piperidine-1-carbonyl)-piperidin-1-ylmethyl]-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid benzyl-methyl-amide;
    14a. (1S,2R)-2-[4-(Acetyl-methyl-amino)-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl]-1-(4-chlorophenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid benzyl-methyl-amide;
    15a.( S,2R)-2-(4-Acetyl-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-(4-chloro-phenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid benzyl-methyl-amide;
    18a. (1S,2R)-2-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-(3,4-difluoro-phenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid methyl-(1-phenyl-ethyl)-amide;
    19a. (1S,2R)-2-[4-(Acetyl-methyl-amino)-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl]-1-(3,4-difluorophenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid methyl-([S]-1-phenyl-ethyl)-amide;
    21a. (1S,2R)-2-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-phenyl-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (4-fluoro-benzyl)-methyl-amide;
    22a. (1S,2R)-2-[4-(Acetyl-methyl-amino)-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl]-1-phenyl-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (4-fluoro-benzyl)-methyl-amide;
    24a. (1S,2R)-2-[4-(4-Chloro-3-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-4-hydroxy-piperidin-1-ylmethyl]-1-phenyl-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (4-fluoro-benzyl)-methyl-amide;
    26a. (1S,2R)-2-[4-(Acetyl-methyl-amino)-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl]-1-(4-chlorophenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (4-fluoro-benzyl)-methyl-amide;
    28a. (1S,2R)-2-(4-Acetyl-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-(4-chloro-phenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (4-fluoro-benzyl)-methyl-amide;
    31 a. (1S,2R)-1-(4-Fluoro-phenyl)-2-[4-phenyl-4-[piperidine-1-carbonyl)-piperidin-1-ylmethyl]-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (4-fluoro-benzyl)-methyl-amide;
    33a. (1S,2R)-1-(3,4-Difluoro-phenyl)-2-[4-phenyl-4-(piperidine-1-carbonyl)-piperidin-1-ylmethyl]-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid -methyl-amide;
    36a. (1S,2R)-1-(3,4-Dichlorophenyl)-2-[4-phenyl-4-(piperidine-1-carbonyl)-piperidin-1-ylmethyl]-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid benzyl-methyl-amide;
    37a. (1S,2R)-2-(4-Acetyl-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid benzyl-methyl-amide;
    39a. (1S,2R)-2-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid methyl-(1-phenyl-ethyl)-amide;
    40a. (1S,2R)- (1S,2R)- 1-(3,4-Dichloro-phenyl)-2-[4-phenyl-4-[piperidine-1-carbonyl)-piperidin-1-ylmethyl]-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid methyl-([S]-1-phenyl-ethyl) amide;
    41a. (1S,2R)-2-[4-(Acetyl-methyl-amino)-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl]-1-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid methyl-([S]-1-phenyl-ethyl)-amide;
    42a. (1S,2R)-1-Phenyl-2-[4-phenyl-4-[piperidine-1-carbonyl)-piperidin-1-ylmethyl]-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (4-fluoro-benzyl)-methyl-amide;
    43a. (1S,2R)-1-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-2-[4-phenyl-4-piperidine-1-carbonyl)-piperidin-1-ylmethyl]-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (4-fluoro-benzyl)-methyl-amide;
    44a. (1S,2R)-2-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-(4-chloro-phenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (4-fluoro-benzyl)-methyl-amide;
    45a. (1S,2R)-2-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-(4-chloro-phenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (2-chloro-benzyl)-methyl-amide;
    46a. (1S,2R)-1-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-2-[4-phenyl-4-[piperidine-1-carbonyl)-piperidin-1-ylmethyl]-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (2-chloro-benzyl)-methyl-amide;
    47a. (1S,2R)-2-[4-(Acetyl-methyl-amino)-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl]-1-(4-chlorophenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (2-chloro-benzyl)-methyl-amide;
    49a. (1S,2R)-2-[4-(Acetyl-methyl-amino)-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl]-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (2-chloro-benzyl)-methyl-amide;
    50a. (1S,2R)-2-[4-(Acetyl-methyl-amino)-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl]-1-(3,4-difluorophenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (2-chloro-benzyl)-methyl-amide;
    51a. (1S,2R)-2-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (2-chloro-benzyl)-methyl-amide;
    52a. (1S,2R)-1-(3,4-Dichlorophenyl)-2-[4-phenyl-4-(piperidine-1-carbonyl)-piperidin-1-ylmethyl]-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (2-chloro-benzyl)-methyl-amide;
    53a. (1S,2R)-2-[4-(Acetyl-methyl-amino)-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl]-1-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (2-chloro-benzyl)-methyl-amide;
    55a.(1S,2R)-1-(3,4-Dichlorophenyl)-2-(4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid benzyl-methyl-amide;
    56a. (1S,2R)-2-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (1-methyl-1-phenyl-ethyl)-amide.
    57a (1S,2R)- 2-(4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid benzyl-ethyl-amide
    58a. (1S,2R)- 2-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid benzyl-methyl-amide-([R]-1-phenyl-ethyl) amide
    59a. (1R,25)-2-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid benzyl-methyl-amide;
    60a. (1R,2R)- 2-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-(3,4-dichorophenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid benzyl-methyl-amide; and
    61a. (1S,2S)- 2-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid benzyl-methyl-amide;
    62a (1S,2R)-2-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid methyl-([R]1-phenyl-ethyl)-amide;
    63a (1S,2R)-2-[4-(Acetyl-methyl-amino)-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl]-1-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid methyl-([R]-1-phenyl-ethyl)-amide;
    66a. (1S,2R)-2-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-phenyl-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid benzyl-methyl-amide;
    67a. (1S,2R)-1-(3,4-Dichlorophenyl)-2-[4-phenyl-4-[piperidine-1-carbonyl)-piperidin-1-ylmethyl]-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid methyl-([S]-1-phenyl-ethyl)-amide;
    69a. (1S,2R)-1-Phenyl-2-[4-phenyl-4-piperidine-1-carbonyl)-piperidin-1-ylmethyl]-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (4-fluoro-benzyl)-methyl-amide;
    70a. (1S,2R)-2-(4-Acetyl-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-phenyl-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (4-fluoro-benzyl)-methyl-amide;
    72a. (1S,2R)-2-[4-(Acetyl-methyl-amino)-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl]-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (4-fluoro-benzyl)-methyl-amide;
    73a. (S,2R)-2-(4-Acetyl-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (4-fluoro-benzyl)-methyl-amide;
    75a. (1S,2R)-2-(4-Acetyl-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-(3,4-difluorophenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (4-fluoro-benzyl)-methyl-amide;
    77a. (1S,2R)-1-(4-Fluoro-phenyl)-2-[4-phenyl-4-(piperidine-1-carbonyl)-piperidin-1-ylmethyl]-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid methyl-([S] 1-phenyl-ethyl)-amide;
    78a. (1S,2R)-2-(4-Acetyl-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-(4-chlorophenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (2-chloro-benzyl)-methyl-amide;
    80a. (1S,2R)-2-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (2-chloro-benzyl)-methyl-amide;
    81a. (1S,2R)-1-(4-Fluoro-phenyl)-2-[4-phenyl-4-(piperidine-1-carbonyl)-piperidin-1-ylmethyl]-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (2-chloro-benzyl)-methyl-amide;
    82a. (1S,2R)-2-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-(3,4-difluorophenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (2-chloro-benzyl)-methyl-amide;
    83a. (1S,2R)-1-(3,4-Difluorophenyl)-2-[4-phenyl-4-(piperidine-1-carbonyl)-piperidin-1-ylmethyl]-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (2-chloro-benzyl)-methyl-amide;
    86a. (1S,2R)-1-(3,4-Dichlorophenyl)-2-(4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid 3,4-dichloro-benzylamide;
    87a. (1S,2R)-1-(3,4-Dichlorophenyl)-2-(4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid 3,4-dimethoxy-benzylamide;
    88a. (1S,2R)-2-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid phenylamide;
    89a. (1S,2R)-2-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (1-methyl-1-phenyl-ethyl)-amide;
    90a. (1S,2R)-1-Phenyl-2-[4-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)-piperazin-1-ylmethyl]-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid benzyl-methyl-amide;
    91a. (1S,2R)-2-(4-Benzyl-piperazin-1-ylmethyl)-1-(4-chlorophenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (4-fluoro-benzyl)-methyl-amide;
    92a. (1S,2R)-1-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-[4-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)-piperazin-1-ylmethyl]-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid 4-fluorobenzyl-methyl-amide;
    93a. (1S,2R)-2-(4-Benzyl-piperazin-1-ylmethyl)-1-(4-chlorophenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid benzyl-methyl-amide;
    94a. (1S,2R)-2-(4-Benzyl-piperazin-1-ylmethyl)-1-phenyl-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid benzyl-methyl-amide;
    95a. (1S,2R)-1-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-[4-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)-piperazin-1-ylmethyl]-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid benzyl-methyl-amide;
    96a. (1S,2R)-1-phenyl-2-[4-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)-piperazin-1-ylmethyl]-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid 4-fluorobenzyl-methyl-amide;
    97a. (1S,2R)-2-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-(3,4-dichloro-phenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid benzyl amide;
    99a. (1S,2R)-2-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid methyl-[1-(4-methoxyphenyl)-ethyl]-amide;
    100a. (1S,2R)-2-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-(3,4-dichloro-phenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (2-chlorobenzyl) amide;
    101a. (1S,2R)-2-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-(3,4-dichloro-phenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (3,4-dichlorobenzyl) amide;
    102a. (IS,2R)-2-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-(3,4-dichloro-phenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid methyl-phenyl-amide;
    103a. (1S,2R)-2-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-(4-methoxy-phenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (4-fluoro-benzyl)-methyl-amide;
    104a. (1S,2R)-2-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-p-tolyl-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (4-fluoro-benzyl)-methyl-amide;
    105a. (1S,2R)-2-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-m-tolyl-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid benzyl-methyl-amide;
    106a. (1S,2R)-2-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-m-tolyl-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (4-fluoro-benzyl)-methyl-amide;
    107a. (1S,2R)-2-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-(3-methoxy-phenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (4-fluoro-benzyl)-methyl-amide;
    108a. (1S,2R)-2-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-(4-methoxy-phenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid benzyl-methyl-amide;
    109a. (1S,2R)-2-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-p-tolyl-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid benzyl-methyl-amide;
    110a. (1S,2R)-2-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-(3-methoxy-phenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid benzyl-methyl-amide;
    111a. (1S,2R)-1-Phenyl-2-(4-phenyl-4-ureido-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (4-fluoro-benzyl)-methyl-amide;
    112a. (1S,2R)-1-(3,4-Dichlorophenyl)-2-(4-phenyl-4-ureido-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid -benzyl-methyl-amide;
    113a. (1S,2R)-1-Phenyl-2-[4-(3-methyl-ureido)-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl]-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (4-fluorobenzyl)-methyl-amide;
    114a. (1S,2R)-2-[4-(3-Methyl-ureido)-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl]-1-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid benzyl-methyl-amide;
    115a. (1S,2R)-N-(1-{2-[(4-Fluoro-benzyl)-methyl-carbamoyl]-2-phenyl-cyclopropylmethyl}-4-phenyl-piperidin-4-yl)-oxalamide;
    116a. (1S,2R)-N-(1-{2-[benzyl-methyl-carbamoyl]-2-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-cyclopropylmethyl}-4-phenyl-piperidin-4-yl)-oxalamide;
    117a. (1S,2R)-1-Phenyl-2-(4-methanesulfonylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid -(4-fluorobenzyl)-methyl-amide;
    118a. (1S,2R)-2-(4-Methanesulfonylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid -benzyl-methyl-amide;
    119a. (1S,2R)-{1-[2-((4-fluoro-benzyl)-methyl-carbamoyl)-2-phenyl-cyclopropylmethyl]-4-phenyl-piperidin-4-yl}-carbamic acid methyl ester;
    120a. (1S,2R)-(1-(2-benzyl-methyl-carbamoyl]-2-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-cyclopropylmethyl}-4-pheriyl-piperidin-4-yl)-carbamic acid methyl ester;
    121a. (1S,2R)-1-(3,4-Dichloro-phenyl)-2-[4-(3,3-dimethyl-ureido)-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl]-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid benzyl-methyl-amide;
    122a. (1S,2R)-1-phenyl-2-[4-(3,3-dimethyl-ureido)-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl]-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (4-fluorobenzyl)-methyl-amide;
    123a. (1S,2R)-2-[2-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-yl)-ethyl]-1-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (4-fluoro-benzyl)-methyl-amide;
    124a. (1S,2R)-2-[3-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-yl)-propyl]-1-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (4-fluoro-benzyl)-methyl-amide;
    125a. (1S,2R)-2-[4-(2-Acetylamino-5-fluorophenyl)-piperidin-1-ylmethyl]-1-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (4-fluoro-benzyl)-methyl-amide;
    126a. (1S,2R)-2-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-(3,4-dimethylphenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (4-fluoro-benzyl)-methyl-amide;
    127a. (1S,2R)-2-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (4-fluoro-benzyl)-methyl-amide;
    128a. (1S,2R)-2-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-(3-chlorophenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (4-fluoro-benzyl)-methyl-amide;
    129a. (1S,2R)-2-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1-(3-fluorophenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (4-fluoro-benzyl)-methyl-amide;
    130a. (1S,2R)-1-(3,4-Dichlorophenyl)-2-(4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid methyl-naphthalen-1-ylmethyl-amide;
    132a. (1S,2R)-1-(3,4-Dichlorophenyl)-2-(4-Acetylamino-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid methyl-naphthalen-1-ylmethyl-amide;
    or a salt thereof.
  87. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound as defined in any of claims 1-86.
  88. A compound as defined in any of claims 1-86 for use in therapy.
  89. Use of a compound as defined in any of claims 1-86 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof for the preparation of a medicament for the treatment of diseases selected from the group consisting of: psychotic disorders, schizophrenia, depression, anxiety, Parkinson's disease, pain, convulsions, cough, asthma, airway hyperresponsiveness, microvascular hypersensitivity, bronchoconstriction, gut inflammation, inflammatory bowel disease, hypertension, imbalances in water and electrolyte homeostasis, ischemia, oedema, plasma extravasation and obesity.
  90. Use of a compound as defined in any of claims 1-86 or a salt thereof for the preparation of a medicament for treatment of schizophrenia.
  91. Use according to claim 90 for treatment of the positive symptoms of schizophrenia.
  92. A compound as defined in any of claims 1-86 or a salt thereof for the treatment of diseases selected from the group consisting of: psychotic disorders, schizophrenia, depression, anxiety, Parkinson's disease, pain, convulsions, cough, asthma, airway hyperresponsiveness, microvascular hypersensitivity, bronchoconstriction, gut inflammation, inflammatory bowel disease, hypertension, imbalances in water and electrolyte homeostasis, ischemia, oedema, plasma extravasation and obesity.
EP04739035A 2003-08-15 2004-08-13 Cyclopropyl derivatives as nk3 receptor antagonists Not-in-force EP1656349B1 (en)

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MXPA06001738A (en) 2006-05-12
CA2535646C (en) 2010-08-10
WO2005016884A9 (en) 2006-03-16
AU2004265020B2 (en) 2009-07-16
CA2535646A1 (en) 2005-02-24
AU2004265020A1 (en) 2005-02-24
NO20061137L (en) 2006-03-09
IL173512A0 (en) 2006-07-05
WO2005016884A1 (en) 2005-02-24
AU2004265020B8 (en) 2009-11-05
US20060281746A1 (en) 2006-12-14

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